1935 results about "Rigid frame" patented technology

A percutaneously deliverable heart valve prosthesis and method of delivery, wherein the prosthesis is anchored to a valvular annulus of a patient and used to replace the patient's diseased valve. The prosthesis is supported by a rigid frame that is generally fixed, but capable of being modified between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position. In its first collapsed position, the prosthesis has sufficient flexibility and is of such a low profile that it allows for easy percutaneously delivery. Upon proper delivery, the prosthesis is anchored and modifiable to a generally permanent expanded position sufficiently rigid to resist the strong recoil force exerted by a distorted stenosed valve orifice displaced by the prosthesis.

A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a frame of a disposable unit for a medical fluid system is provided. The frame includes a body having a pair of opposing sides and defining a space between the sides, and a number of membranes sealed to the body along the opposing sides. The body and the membranes form at least one medical fluid pathway in the space between the opposing sides, and the opposing sides are bowed.

The goggles of the invention utilize a substantially rigid frame with separate top and bottom individually rotatable elements, namely an upper browbar and a lower nosepiece, that firmly capture the lens from above and below. The lens is further secured to the frame by projections on each of the browbar and nosepiece which fit through apertures in the lens. At the top, a post which projects forwardly from the frame is received in the well of the browbar by snap-fit engagement. At the bottom, a prong on the rotatable nosepiece passes through a bottom aperture of the lens and is received in a recess of a bottom portion of the frame by snap-fit engagement. The apertures and cooperating projections are preferably located along the center of a one-piece lens. Thus, the rotatable browbar and nosepiece capture the lens top and bottom by edgewise compression and hold the lens front-to-back.

An adjustable fluid collecting device with two shells pivotally movable relative to each other wherein the fluid collecting device is movable between an open position in which the shells are distanced from each other and a closed position in which the shells touch, an actuator and a lever assembly wherein the operation of the actuator results in equal but opposite movement of the shells and the mechanical advantage increases as the shells move toward the closed position. A rigid frame which substantially surrounds the two shells, actuator and lever assembly is provided. Optionally, the apparatus can be equipped with an integral pipe spinner.

An actuator device (2) includes a piezoelectric or electro-strictive solid state actuator element (6) that is elongated upon application of an electric voltage thereto, and a transmission mechanism (8) that amplifies the stroke displacement of the actuator element. The transmission mechanism (8) includes a plurality of rigid frame members (12), including unitary frame members (12.1, 12.2) and divided frame members (12.3), and elastically flexible joints (10) that respectively interconnect the frame members. Each one of the divided frame members (12.3) is made up of a plurality of separate parallel link rods (16). Each flexible joint (10) is made up of a plurality of individual parallel hinge members (18) that respectively connect an end of each one of the link rods (16) to the adjacent unitary frame member (12.1, 12.2). By this division of the flexible joints and of the divided frame members into parallel sub-components, the cross-sectional thickness of each individual hinge member is reduced, and thereby the bending stiffness and the outer fiber strain of the material of the hinge members is significantly reduced while providing the same total tensile strength and tensile stiffness. The link rods of each divided frame member effectively form a parallelogram linkage for moving and guiding the output members (12.1) in a parallel manner.

Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN, and / or Bluetooth radios. Within a communication device that includes multi-protocol communication capability, the various radio modules included within such a communication device operate cooperatively such that collisions are avoided between those various radios. When a first of the radio modules operates as governed by a relatively rigid frame structure, a second of the radio modules capitalizes upon that predetermined nature (of the relatively rigid frame structure) to support communication during times in which that first radio module has a lower level of activity (e.g., turned off completely, within a power savings mode, in a sleep mode, etc.). The radio module operation is performed within a time-orthogonal manner, such that multiple radio modules are not attempting to transmit or receive simultaneously. Moreover, CTS2SELF operation can be employed alone or in conjunction with power savings operation of co-located radios within a communication device.

A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having a stepping deck, a first arm, a second arm, a motor and a stop. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The motor is drivingly connected to the first arm such that a rotation of the motor causes rotation of the first arm about its first end and moves the stepping member from a retracted position to an extended position, or vice versa. The stop is located within the range of motion of the second arm such that the second arm bears against the stop when the stepping member is in the extended position. The first and second arms are situated such that the first arm is loaded in compression and the second arm is loaded in tension when the stepping member is in the extended position and a load is placed upon it. In another embodiment, a retractable vehicle step assist comprises a rigid frame, a forward planar linkage pivotably connected to the frame along a forward upper connection width, and a rearward planar linkage pivotably connected to the frame along a rearward upper connection width. The retractable vehicle step further comprises a rigid step member having a stepping deck. The step member is pivotably connected to the forward planar linkage along a forward lower connection width, and is pivotably connected to the rearward planar linkage along a rearward lower connection width and on a side of the forward planar linkage opposite the stepping deck. The stepping deck is substantially wider than any of the forward upper connection width, the rearward upper connection width, the forward lower connection width, and the rearward lower connection width.

There is disclosed a sound attenuation panel comprising, a rigid frame divided into a plurality of individual cells, a sheet of a flexible material, and a plurality of weights. Each weight is fixed to the sheet of flexible material such that each cell is provided with a respective weight and the frequency of the sound attenuated can be controlled by suitable selecting the mass of the weight.

A lighting system for stage, theatrical and architectural lighting, comprising a frame for supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes. The diodes are mounted to the frame so that each diode is both secured to the frame and also simultaneously positioned wherein each discrete diode light beam is directed to a prescribed remote focal point (target zone) and thereupon directed to a predetermined illumination area. Electrical power for transmitting and controlling electrical voltage to light emitting diodes by electrical circuitry integral with the frame. The frame can be configured as any hollow volume such a cone, a semi-ellipse, and a semi-sphere or can be configured as planar. Flexible blanks having apertures and pads for electrical connections can be used to construct rigid frames. An imaging gate a collimating lens and a focusing lens can be interposed between the frame and the illumination area. The frame can also be a sandwich frame having positive and negative electrically conductive layers interposed between layers of biasable insulating foam.

A digital printing machine including a rigid frame, a first linear motion X axis stage mounted on the frame, a printing table assembly movable on each linear X axis stage, a linear motion Y axis stage mounted on the frame perpendicular to the linear X axis stages, above the printing table assemblies, and an array of inkjet nozzles mounted on the linear Y axis stage for linear motion perpendicular to the X axis stage. The printing machine may include a second linear motion X axis stage mounted on the frame parallel to the first axis stage and arranged for operation independently of the first axis stage, and / or a curing unit located above the printing table assembly and arranged to cure ink on media on the printing table assembly and / or an ironing unit located above the printing table assembly and arranged to iron media on the printing assembly before printing thereon, or a first printing table assembly movable on the base of the linear X axis stage and a second printing table assembly movable on the linear X axis stage base independently of the first printing table assembly.

A multichip module comprises a multilayer substrate circuit having conductive patterns on its surface(s) to which microelectronic device(s) are attached. The conductive patterns include a series of electrical contacts adjacent to one edge of the substrate. The substrate is bonded to two rigid frames, one on each opposite surface. Each substrate has a series of castellations on one edge that are aligned and electrically connected to the respective contacts on the substrate, preferably by soldering. The castellations can serve as a self-aligning mechanism when the module is brought into contact with a low-profile pin array, and the module may be held in place on a motherboard by guide rails in a socket that engages the edges perpendicular to the castellated edge of the module. The module may further be provided with protective heat spreading covers.

A tilting suspension system is provided for two wheels (2, 3) of a vehicle (200) disposed on a common axle with the module comprising a rigid frame (17) adapted to be firmly fixed to the chassis of the vehicle so as to be tilted together with the whole vehicle and a tilting arm (14) pivotally linked to the rigid frame. The tilting of the rigid frame is obtained as a result of the counter torque arising when activating hydraulic actuating means (101, 102) pivotally interposed between the tilting arm (14) and the rigid frame (17), with the tilting arm being pivotally connected to shock absorbers (18). The tilting module further comprises suspension arms (10, 11, 12, 13) pivotally connected to the rigid frame, with the suspension arms supporting, in cooperation with supporting uprights, the two wheels thus allowing both tilting and steering of the two wheels. The hydraulic actuating means (101, 102) are actuated by a hydraulic pump (112) driven by an electric motor (108).

A flexible circuit comprises a folded dielectric sheet having conductive patterns on its surface(s) to which microelectronic device(s) are attached. The dielectric sheet is folded 180° about a selected axis and a bond layer joins the two halves over a portion of their respective surface areas so that a remaining portion of their areas remain unbonded and a bifurcated structure is thereby formed. Electrical contacts are provided on the unbonded or bifurcated portions of the flexible sheets. The flex may be attached to a rigid frame and provided with protective heat spreading covers. The folded flex design is particularly suitable for reel-to-reel manufacturing.

A microarray assay system using an array-of-arrays plate mounted on the top surface of a vacuum fixture, and an automatic handling system that handles the plate and fixture assembly. The A2 plate includes a tray formed of a flexible material and a rigid frame for mounting on the fixture. The fixture has a plurality of orifices opening at the top surface and connected to a vacuum source to create a negative pressure to hold the flexible plate against the top surface of the fixture. The automatic handling systems that can be used with the plate and fixture assembly include a microarray printing machine, liquid handling robot, hybridization and incubation devices, and microarray imaging devices.

An exercising apparatus for allowing mobility recovery and slimming activities. The apparatus is an endless belt-like exercising sport mat device which comprises a) an endless belt padded with a relatively soft and elastic material for serving as a sliding sport mat; b) a rolling mechanism for allowing the endless belt to be looped at a relatively low speed around the rolling mechanism, thereby providing a lower belt section and an overlying upper belt section on which a user may perform such activities; c) a supporting surface disposed under the inner surface of said upper belt section supporting relation thereto and depressible therewith under the weight of a user for aiding the user to move the endless belt; and d) a rigid frame for containing the supporting surface and the rolling mechanism.

A retractable step for use with a vehicle comprises a stepping member having a stepping deck, a first arm, a second arm, a motor and a stop. The first arm has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The second arm also has a first end pivotally attached to the vehicle, and a second end pivotally attached to the stepping member. The motor is drivingly connected to the first arm such that a rotation of the motor causes rotation of the first arm about its first end and moves the stepping member from a retracted position to an extended position, or vice versa. The stop is located within the range of motion of the second arm such that the second arm bears against the stop when the stepping member is in the extended position. The first and second arms are situated such that the first arm is loaded in compression and the second arm is loaded in tension when the stepping member is in the extended position and a load is placed upon it. In another embodiment, a retractable vehicle step assist comprises a rigid frame, a forward planar linkage pivotably connected to the frame along a forward upper connection width, and a rearward planar linkage pivotably connected to the frame along a rearward upper connection width. The retractable vehicle step further comprises a rigid step member having a stepping deck. The step member is pivotably connected to the forward planar linkage along a forward lower connection width, and is pivotably connected to the rearward planar linkage along a rearward lower connection width and on a side of the forward planar linkage opposite the stepping deck. The stepping deck is substantially wider than any of the forward upper connection width, the rearward upper connection width, the forward lower connection width, and the rearward lower connection width.

A three-wheel vehicle has two forward steered wheels, one rear powered wheel, and a straddle-type seat disposed between the forward and rear wheels. The vehicle's frame has interconnected tubular members that create a strong, light, rigid frame that can accommodate a high performance engine. The frame's components include upper spars, lower spars, rear suspension plates, a front suspension sub-frame, rear suspension braces, a pyramid-shaped upper support assembly, various cross braces, and a rear sub-frame, among other components. Two or more of the frame components may be integrally formed and removably connected to the other frame components to simplify assembly, maintenance, and replacement. The frame is designed to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle and rider so as to stabilize the vehicle. The front suspension sub-frame includes a longitudinal air passage that directs air into the engine compartment and around an oil cooler.

An accessory device mounting platform includes a substantially rigid frame and a substantially rigid mating tray that are slidably interconnected along a first direction, the frame and tray include a tongue-and-groove slide mechanism arranged therebetween for sliding the tray relative to the frame relative to a first direction. A resilient biasing mechanism, such as a cantilevered flexure or tension spring, is coupled between the frame and a latch bolt portion of a clasp mechanism for biasing the latch bolt portion toward a latch strike plate mechanism formed in the tray. The latch strike plate mechanism is formed with an inclined surface that is positioned to engage a latch bolt portion of the clasp mechanism and is structured for deflecting the latch bolt away from the frame, while the resilient biasing mechanism of the clasp mechanism is structured for biasing the latch bolt back toward the frame.

The present invention concerns a cable retention device, which also may be used for pipes or wires, to take up forces actuated by or on a cable (2) etc. Each cable (2) is received in a module, formed of two module halves (6, 55, 58, 62). The modules are received inside a rigid frame construction. The modules inside the frame construction are to be compressed. The compression is accomplished by means of a compression unit (36, 41) inside the frame construction and / or by assembly of the cable retention device.

This invention relates to a briefcase or carrying case for a mobile office, holding a number of interconnected electronic devices (laptop computer, printer, and the like) which may be opened up for immediate use of the devices. A rectangular rigid frame comprises the foundation and ancillary items are fastened to the frame. An enclosing cover having a zipper is also attached to the frame. Shock-absorbing foam and straps are included. An optional wheeled caddie can support the frame using coupling blocks on each side of the frame.When in use, the laptop extends forward from the frame in a low flat position. The printer, held on a second hinged tray, is flipped backwards by 270 degrees over the top of the frame, so that the weight of the printer and the weight of the laptop tend to counterbalance each other and the carrying case is stable.

A simple, durable, lightweight, economical wheelchair is disclosed that offers full convertibility from rigid frame to folding and vice versa, without sacrificing advantages of either design. In addition, it allows conversion to sports, companion, pediatric, front wheel drive, etc. as well as customizing to suit the end user's needs.

An electrical stimulation orthosis and method therefor, the orthosis including: (a) an at least semi-rigid frame configured to substantially envelop a limb segment, the frame having at least one first complementary mechanical fastener associated therewith; (b) a surface electrical stimulation electrode assembly associated with, and supported by, the frame, the assembly having a surface stimulation electrode for contacting at least one stimulation point on the limb segment, the surface electrode assembly having an electrode base for electrically associating, via the frame, with a stimulator unit for providing a stimulation signal to the surface electrode, the electrode base having a top face for receiving the stimulation electrode, and a bottom face having at least one second complementary mechanical fastener, the first and second fasteners adapted for reversible attachment and detachment, at a plurality of locations on the frame, thereby enabling the electrical stimulation electrode assembly to be adjustably and reversibly positioned on the frame.

An preferred embodiment of an assembly for manufacturing an OLED display includes a flexible substrate, a frame having an inner perimeter defining a central opening, and at least one of an adhesive and a fastener securing the flexible substrate to the frame so that the flexible substrate spans the central opening. A preferred method for supporting a flexible substrate for an OLED display during manufacture of the OLED display includes providing a rigid frame having an inner perimeter defining a central opening, and securing the flexible substrate to the frame using at least one of an adhesive and a fastener so that the flexible substrate spans the central opening.

Collaborative coexistence of co-located mobile WiMAX, wireless LAN, and / or Bluetooth radios. Within a communication device that includes multi-protocol communication capability, the various radio modules included within such a communication device operate cooperatively such that collisions are avoided between those various radios. When a first of the radio modules operates as governed by a relatively rigid frame structure, a second of the radio modules capitalizes upon that predetermined nature (of the relatively rigid frame structure) to support communication during times in which that first radio module has a lower level of activity (e.g., turned off completely, within a power savings mode, in a sleep mode, etc.). The radio module operation is performed within a time-orthogonal manner, such that multiple radio modules are not attempting to transmit or receive simultaneously. Moreover, CTS2SELF operation can be employed alone or in conjunction with power savings operation of co-located radios within a communication device.

A direct shear tester for both portable field test and indoor test and a sampling and testing method are provided. The tester comprises a sampling device, a portable vertical load system and a horizontal shear system. The testing method comprises burying a rigid frame together with a cruciform shear frame in the soil of a place to be test, digging out the whole soil containing the rigid frame and the cruciform shear frame to obtain an integrated sample with less interference, placing and fixing the integrated sample in a rigid frame base on a box-shaped frame, applying a vertical force by using the portable vertical load system on the box-shaped frame, and measuring the strength of the sample by using the shear frame. During the test process, the volume change of the sample in the vertical direction is not limited. The tester has simple structure, easy operation and good portability. The testing method employs flexible tension shear mode instead of the rigid top-bunt shear mode, overcomes the friction and sampling problems, and avoids the vertical pressure offset during the test process by using the portable vertical loading system, thereby increasing the test accuracy.

The invention provides a finite element analysis method for the temperature action on a prestressed reinforced concrete continuous rigid frame bridge. The finite element analysis method is used for analyzing and calculating the stress and displacement distribution in the construction and finished bridge stage under different temperature gradient models, and provides references for designing and optimizing the prestressed reinforced concrete continuous rigid frame bridge. Through calculational analysis based on finite elements and the structural mechanics, the forward-calculation method is adopted for structural distortion and stress analysis according to the actual construction loading sequence of the bridge structure, so that the complex mechanics problem of box girder temperature self-stress, temperature secondary internal force in a prestressed reinforced concrete statically indeterminate structure and secondary stress of the temperature secondary internal force is solved easily, conveniently and efficiently, and the finite element analysis method has important practical value.

An exercise apparatus comprising a generally rectangular extruded aluminum alloy frame having a head end and a foot end and including a pair of spaced apart parallel track members wherein the head end, the foot end, and the track or rail members are each formed from the metal extrusion material. The apparatus includes a movable carriage made of a rigid frame that moves along the rail members between the head and foot ends against one or more resistance members connected to the carriage and the foot end of the frame. Each of the rail members includes a longitudinal slot therein for receiving a foot support bar assembly. The rail members and head and foot end members are generally each metal tubular box extrusions and the rail members telescopically retract. Roller wheels attached to the carriage move along the top of the rail members and guide wheels move along the inside of the rail members. The invention further includes shoulder stops on the carriage that can be adjusted to a horizontal position so that the apparatus may be compactly stored.

A tilting suspension system is provided for two wheels of a vehicle disposed on a common axle with a module comprising a rigid frame adapted to be firmly fixed to the chassis of the vehicle so as to be tilted together with the whole vehicle. The tilting of the rigid frame is obtained as a result of the counter torque arising when activating actuating means firmly fixed to the rigid frame, with the tilting means being pivotable connected to shock absorbers. The tilting module further comprises suspension arms usually connected to the rigid frame, with said suspension arms supporting, in cooperation with supporting uprights, the two wheels thus allowing both tilting and steering of the two wheels. Moreover, electric motors may be received in the hubs of the wheels, thus allowing the realization of driving, steering and tilting module adapted to be used either in hybrid vehicles or electrically driven vehicles.

A floating island comprising one or more layers of nonwoven mesh material and optional buoyant nodules. The mesh material is optionally coated with a spray-on elastomer or inoculated with nutrients or microorganisms. The island can include buoyant growth medium, floats, buoyant blocks, a prefabricated seed blanket, a dunking feature, capillary tubes, wicking units and / or bell flotation units. A larger embodiment is comprised of nonwoven mesh material, buoyant nodules, supplemental flotation units, stepping pads and optional load distribution members. Other optional features include a stepping stone flotation assembly, a stepping stone / vertical buoyant member flotation assembly, and a floating log assembly. The buoyancy of the island can be adjusted with a rigid framework of horizontal members, vertical members that can be moved vertically within the island, and / or a framework of prefabricated flotation tubes and cross members. The present invention also covers a floating island with a boat docking location.

A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the major walls being connected to each other by the minor walls.