An adjusting device is equipped with a rod and a holder disposed movably in the direction of the length of the rod at an end of the rod, and adjusts the allowance length of the inner cable coupled to the rod and (or) holder. The adjusting device is provided with a lock-discriminating member protruding from the periphery of the holder and a cover covering the periphery of the holder including the lock-discriminating member and the lock. The lock piece does not protrude from the periphery of the holder in the lock state and protrudes to the same height with the lock-discriminating member in the unlock state.

An arrangement for adjusting the position of handlebars on a vehicle including a first mechanism for effecting rotation of the handlebars about a first axis in response to a first control signal; a second mechanism for effecting translation of the handlebars along a longitudinal axis in response to a second control signal; and a control system for providing the first and second control signals. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive system includes a first support secured to the vehicle; a second support operationally coupled to the first support and adapted for rotational movement about a first axis; a first actuator for rotating the second support over an angular extent about the first axis; a third support coupled to the second support for translational movement along a second axis, the second axis being coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the third support and transverse to the first axis; a second actuator for effecting movement of the third support relative to the second support; and a control system for driving the first and second actuators.

A restraining system is configured to secure and release a rider's footwear to a vehicle footrest in response to inputs to a control interface. The vehicle is typically a motorcycle or bicycle. In the case of a motorcycle, a rider's boot is restrained to a motorcycle foot peg by the action of a restraining device. Exemplary restraining device embodiments include an electromagnet or a mechanical latch. The control interface may be located on the motorcycle handlebar or on the rider's helmet. The rider can provide the inputs directly to the control interface. Alternatively, the inputs may be received from a wireless source.

An electromechanical actuator for a movable flight control surface of an aircraft, the actuator comprising an electric motor having an outlet shaft with first and second directions of rotation, a movement transmission arranged to connect the outlet shaft of the motor to the movable flight control surface, and a control unit for controlling the motor. The transmission incorporates a pawl device arranged to oppose the transmission of movement in the first direction of rotation, and the control unit is connected to a pawl declutching member for declutching the pawl and enabling movement to be transmitted in the first direction of rotation.

In an embodiment of the invention, an anti-rotation assembly for a steering column is provided. The anti-rotation assembly includes a bushing and a pin having a detent for engaging the bushing when the pin is inserted into the bushing.

An apparatus for locating a central axis of a spinal column and method of using the same is disclosed. The apparatus and method includes one or more members capable of spanning a center line which may then be identified by at least one additional member positioned therebetween. Furthermore, the device may contain or be capable of accommodating various additional tools for marking the location of the central axis of a spinal column.

A build up edge monitoring method is provided for performing online real-time detection and suppression of abnormal build up edges of cutters occurred in a CNC manufacturing process. Signal variation analysis and fast Fourier transform are used for analyzing signals and establishing an algorithm of diagnosing build up edges to improve the efficiency and reliability of the cutting abnormality diagnostics. A vibration acceleration signal is captured and filtered to a frequency exceeding 1.1 times of a blade passing frequency, and an occurrence of accumulated chips is determined according to a sudden increase of the vibration acceleration and whether the main vibration frequency of the current vibration signal determined by a fast Fourier transform analysis matches with the frequency of the build up edge characteristic, and a shutdown instruction is issued to a CNC controller to shut down a cutting machine.

An electronic device is provided with an inclination sensor for computing inclination, a control unit which conducts predetermined control based on a value computed by the inclination sensor, a case which has the inclination sensor and the control unit therein, and a suspension portion for suspending the case, and the control unit controls correction of the reference value of the inclination sensor based on a state where the case is suspended by the suspension portion and still.

A centerline marker holder used for engaging and sliding along a portion of two intersecting walls and sliding along an exterior or interior rounded or bull nose corner between the walls. The marker holder uses a pencil for drawing a centerline along a length of the corner. The marker holder includes a flat, first wall engaging member attached at an angle to a flat, second wall engaging member. Along a length of an intersection of the first and second wall engaging members is a centerline hole. The centerline hole is dimensioned to receive the pencil therethrough for marking the centerline. The marker holder also includes a plurality of offset holes from the centerline hole for drawing parallel offset lines at a selected distance from the centerline.

A multi-panel electronic device and method are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving first acceleration data from a first sensor coupled to a first portion of an electronic device. The method further includes receiving second acceleration data from a second sensor coupled to a second portion of the electronic device, where a position of the first portion is movable with respect to a position of the second portion. The method further includes determining a configuration of the electronic device at least partially based on the first acceleration data and the second acceleration data.

A periodic permanent magnet (PPM) klystron has beam transport structures and RF cavity structures, each of which has permanent magnets placed substantially equidistant from a beam tunnel formed about the central axis, and which are also outside the extent of a cooling chamber. The RF cavity sections also have permanent magnets which are placed substantially equidistant from the beam tunnel, but which include an RF cavity coupling to the beam tunnel for enhancement of RF carried by an electron beam in the beam tunnel.

The six direction directing device includes a shaft, a rotation member, a driving source, and a guide member. The shaft extends in an X axis direction. The rotation member is rotatable around an inclined axis inclined at α deg with respect to the shaft. The rotation member has an xyz rectangular coordinate system. The rotation member further includes a spherical surface and an orbit portion formed around an x axis of the spherical surface. The guide member is fixed to an XYZ rectangular coordinate system. The orbit portion has such a shape that the y axis of the rotation member is sequentially directed in + and − directions on the U, V, and W axes that cross one another at intervals of 60 deg around the X axis when the rotation member is rotated in contact with the guide member by the rotation of the shaft.

A frame assembly for simulating topography of an existing wall portion provides points of adjustment behind a wallboard panel mounted to the frame assembly. In this manner imperfections in an existing wall can be replicated to facilitate cabinet or countertop installation.

A data comparison apparatus 1 includes: an image acquisition unit 42 that acquires data of a plurality of motions; an interval identification unit 45 that identifies a predetermined interval that is common in data of the plurality of motions; a time period comparison unit 47 that compares the plurality of motions in the identified predetermined interval; and a notification unit 50 that notifies information corresponding to a comparison result of the time period comparison unit 47.

A protractor for use with an external fixation frame is provided. The protractor may include a face having angle designations thereon and a set of opposed and extending flanges projecting from said face. The flanges may connect to a portion of an external fixation frame, such as a ring (or other component) of the frame. The face may also include a post member to which a rotatable dial is mounted. An elongate member may be pivotally connected to a portion of the post member and may include a clamp. The clamp may be used to connect to an alternate portion of an external fixation frame, such as a strut of the frame. Thus, the protractor may be connected to two points on an external fixation frame so as to measure the angle between such points. Related methods of using the aforementioned protractor are also disclosed.

An inclination angle compensation system for determining an inclination angle of a machine is disclosed. The inclination angle compensation system may have a non-gravitational acceleration estimator configured to estimate a non-gravitational acceleration of a machine based on an estimated inclination angle and an acceleration output from a forward acceleration sensor. The inclination angle compensation system may also have an inclination angle sensor corrector configured to receive an inclination angle output from an inclination angle sensor, determine an inclination angle sensor acceleration based on the inclination angle output, and calculate a corrected inclination angle of the machine based on the non-gravitational acceleration and the inclination angle sensor acceleration.

Systems, apparatus and methods to create a database by a device (such as a server) and to use the database by a mobile device for detecting a planar target are presented. The database allows recognition of a planar target by a mobile device from steeper angles with minimum impact on runtime. The database is created from at least one warped view of the planar target. For example, a database may contain keypoints and descriptors from a non-warped view and also from one or more warped views. The database may be pruned by removing keypoints and corresponding descriptors of one image (e.g., a warped image) overlapping with similar or identical keypoints and descriptors of another image (e.g., a non-warped image).

A method of indicating an interference magnetic field at an electronic device includes: displaying a first arrow indicating a direction of magnetic north on a display of the electronic device, the direction of the first arrow corrected to remove interference caused by an interference magnetic field; and displaying a second arrow indicating a direction of a source of the interference magnetic field on a display of the electronic device.

The invention relates to an autonomous system for determining items of information representative of the movement of an articulated chain (CA—1, CA—2, CA—3) comprising at least two solid elements (ES1—1, ES2—1, ES1—2, ES2—2, ES3—2, ES1—3, ES2—3, ES3—3, ES4—3) and at least one articulation (ART1—1, ART1—2, ART2—2, ART1—3, ART2—3, ART3—3) connecting said two elements. The system comprises at least two devices (DISP1—1, DISP2—1, DISP1—2, DISP2—2, DISP3—2, DISP1—3, DISP2—3, DISP3—3, DISP4—3) for measuring inter-device distances, mounted fixedly on two distinct elements of said articulated chain and suitable for transmitting the measurements made. Moreover, the system comprises means for determining at least one distance separating two measuring devices based on at least one measurement supplied by a measuring device, and calculation means (CALC), mounted on said articulated chain, suitable for calculating items of information representative of the movement of said articulated chain based on the measurements transmitted by said devices for measuring inter-device distances.

A test device for testing concentricity between first and second holes in parallel plates includes a positioning pole and a test pole. The positioning pole includes a head segment having a tapered positioning portion. The positioning pole axially defines a through hole. The test pole is telescopically received in the through hole of the positioning pole. The test pole includes a test head with a diameter slightly less than a diameter of the second hole. The positioning portion of the positioning pole extends into the first hole with the conic section of the positioning portion abutting against an inner wall bounding the first hole. The test head of the test pole faces the second plate and approaches and confirms the concentricity of the hole in the second plate by sliding the test pole relative to the positioning pole.

An electronic caliper generates power for measurement operations. The caliper comprises a scale member, a slider, a signal processing portion configured to measure a displacement between the scale member and slider, a power generating arrangement attached to the slider comprising a gear assembly configured to rotate in response to a force provided through a power generating handle to the gear assembly by a user moving the power generating handle relative to the gear assembly, and a power generator coupled to the gear assembly and configured to rotate in response to force provided by the rotating gear assembly and provide power to the signal processing portion. The power generating arrangement generates power as the user moves the power generating handle, and the power generating arrangement contributes a motion resistance force component of at most 20N as the user moves the power generating handle with a maximum manual acceleration.

The slide operation-type dovetail groove sliding stage may include a sliding lock screw for locking sliding of a sliding component, by causing the screw to abut on an inverted triangle-shaped protrusion, provided on a sidewall of a sliding component approximately parallel to a sliding direction and coupled to the sliding component, to bring the protrusion into contact with a dovetail of the fixed component and by tightening the screw. The sliding lock screw may be used as a sliding adjustment screw for performing fine adjustment of a degree of sliding of the sliding component with respect to the fixed component by adjusting an amount of rotation of the screw which abuts on the protrusion to bring it into contact with the dovetail of the sliding component, and a driving means which an operator grasps to perform an operation of sliding the sliding component to a desired position.

A system is invented to combine different signals from various sensors together so that an object (such as a car, an airplane etc.)'s position and/or orientation can be measured.

A scanning device for a position encoder is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor elements for generating a plurality of sensor signals. A summation unit is also provided for generating at least a first summation signal and a second summation signal that provide information on the relative alignment of the scanning device and an associated scale. The first summation signal is generated from a first subset of the plurality of sensor signals and the second summation signal is generated from a second subset of the plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensor elements are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another N and sensor elements are provided per period of an associated scale, wherein N is an integer value and a multiple of three and four. In this manner, the third harmonic contribution to the summation signals is suppressed.

A device and method for inspecting a width of thread roots of a tubular component for exploration or working of hydrocarbon wells, the device including two arms each including a first and a second end, the first ends being connected together by a deformable portion allowing an angular displacement between the second ends, the second ends each carrying a contact element and a mechanism determining the angular displacement.

A portable device is used to aid a semi-truck driver in the repositioning of a tandem axle assembly of a trailer. The portable device may be easily attached and removed from the trailer's sub-frame during operation. The device will signal the driver visually when reaching the desired position during adjustment of the tandem axle assembly to a new location. The device may reduce time and increase safety for the driver during the tandem axle assembly repositioning operation. The device may be positioned at or near the desired tandem axle assembly position. A flap may pivotally hang in a position where a tire from the tandem axle assembly may deflect and pivot the flap when the tandem axle assembly reaches its desired position. A driver may see this flap deflection and know, with certainty, that they have achieved the desired tandem axle assembly position.

A system and method for inspection and quality control for goods determines whether the goods comply with desired configurations. In an embodiment, an inspection and quality control system for a good includes a template. The template includes a template body and a positive offset. The positive offset includes a maximum length of the good and a maximum width of the good. The positive offset is configured for the good to be disposed in the positive offset when the good is less than the maximum length and the maximum width. The system also includes a negative inset. The negative inset includes a minimum length for the good and a minimum width for the good. The negative inset is configured to be disposed in the positive offset over the good disposed in the positive offset.

An instrument and method for determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis between the condyles of a femur is provided. The instrument includes first and second gauges each for measuring a radius of a femoral condyle and a frame. At least one of the gauges is movably connected to the frame. The method includes positioning the measuring end of each gauge against a separate condyle of a femur, actuating a pivoting member of each gauge to determine the radius of each condyle, measuring the distance between the condyles, and determining the location of the anatomical epicondylar axis of the femur. A measurement can be taken from a measuring scale provided on the gauge and from another scale provided on the frame. Determining the location of the axis can further include performing a calculation utilizing the radii of the condyles and the distance between the condyles.

Systems and methods for providing aircraft heading information are provided. In one embodiment, an attitude heading reference device comprises: at least one interface for receiving heading information from one or more IRUs; at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers; a memory device for storing data representing heading information received via the at least one interface; and a heading calculator coupled to the at least one interface, the at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers, and the memory device. The heading calculator generating a heading output signal based on heading information when reliable heading information is received over the at least one interface; the heading calculator generating the heading output signal based on data from the memory device regarding previously reliable heading information and an output of the at least one set of gyroscopes and accelerometers when reliable heading information is not received over the at least one interface.

A disposable saliva ejector that utilizes a single planar, double leaf shaped plate design that is embossed on their inner faces with a series of arced ribs and folded about its midpoint. A tab and slot arrangement about the center of the plates, joins the two plates. The distal tips are held together by a dovetail arrangement on raised pads at the distal tips of each plate. The distal and proximal tips are also held in operational contact by the suction forces passed through the device. The arced ribs form a series of channels about perimeter of the device. A trough runs along the linear axis of both of the plates to direct any fluid and debris that is sucked into the channels into a connected suction tube. Placement of the saliva ejector within the mouth lies along the interior of the patient's cheek, keeping the oral cavity clear of viewing obstructions. The discharge end connects to a discharge tube, wrapping around the oral commissure then hooking onto the patient's outer cheek. Once properly placed within the patient's mouth the dental assistant is relieved from providing suction during various procedures.

An oral cavity suction system that incorporates a disposable saliva ejector residing along the interior of the patient's cheek that utilizes a single planar, double leaf shaped plate design that is embossed on their inner faces with a series of arced ribs and folded about its midpoint. The arced ribs form a series of channels about perimeter of the device that directs saliva into a trough running along the linear axis of both of the plates to direct this saliva into a connected “U” connector that hooks around the patient's cheek. A sterile suction tube is also connected on one end to the “U” connector suction tube and on its other end to a quick connect fitting that mates to a tube adapted with a fitting for connection to a high volume suction pump.

A method for applying a composition to teeth and a dispenser for dispensing a composition. The method of the present invention is directed to the storage and dispensing of a composition. During storage and subsequent use the composition in the storage chamber must be maintained segregated from the applicator surface. This is accomplished by delivering the composition from the storage chamber through a delivery channel having a length and a cross-sectional diameter sufficient to preclude the migration of moisture and the enzyme catalase from the application surface to the storage chamber. The composition is applied to teeth by means of bristles, a sponge surface or fibrillated surface. This applicator can be used with both aqueous and non-aqueous compositions.

To enable firm bonding to a member including a polyaryl ether ketone resin. A bonding method including: a bonding material applying step for applying, to the surface of a member including a polyaryl ether ketone resin, a bonding material including (A) a polymerizable monomer and (B) at least a portion of components for configuring a polymerization initiator, the content ratio of polymerizable monomers at least having two or more polymerizable functional groups in a (p2) molecule among all polymerizable monomers being 50% by mass or greater, and the content ratio of polymerizable monomers at least having one or more polymerizable functional groups and one or more functional groups capable of hydrogen bonding in a (p1h1) molecule being 5% by mass or greater; and a curing step for curing the bonding material. A bonding material and bonding kit using the bonding method.

The present document describes methods of use of photo activated compositions for oral disinfection and/or treatments which comprise at least one oxidant, at least one photoactivator capable of activating the oxidant, and at least one healing factor chosen from hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and allantoin, in association with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.

Lithium silicate glass ceramics and glasses are described which can advantageously be applied to zirconium oxide ceramics in particular by pressing-on in the viscous state and form a solid bond with these.

A planning and guiding method and excavation guiding device correctly implant an artificial tooth root at a predetermined site, perform various excavation processes on a cortical bone section and a spongy bone section by stage-based guidance, and guide eccentric excavation of the cortical bone section and concentric excavation of the spongy bone section according to a bone pattern, such that the artificial tooth root thus implanted is not only positioned at a planned ideal site but also manifests appropriate initial stability.

The present invention relates to oral and dental care and cleaning agents comprising an aqueous dispersion of a phosphate-containing and/or phosphonate-containing polyurethane polymer and anionic surfactant(s), to tooth cleaning methods using these agents, and to the use of oral and dental care and cleaning agents comprising an aqueous dispersion of a phosphate-containing and/or phosphonate-containing polyurethane polymer and anionic surfactant(s) to reduce the restaining of teeth and/or to reduce biofilm development on dental surfaces and/or to reduce the adhesion of bacteria to dental surfaces and/or to extend the antibacterial action of antibacterial substances.

The present invention provides an intraoral imaging and illumination apparatus (10) comprising a rear portion (12) and a front portion (14) removably connected to the rear portion (12). The front portion (14) is formed as a light guide (29). The rear portion (12) comprises an imaging device (16) and an illumination device (18). The illumination device (18) is adapted to couple light into the front portion (14) and towards a leading end (30) of the front portion (14) opposite the rear portion (12) so as to illuminate a first object (66). The imaging device (16) is adapted to image the first object (66).

A post for a dental crown is disclosed having improved structural features—including increased post strength and reduced likelihood of root fracture. In one embodiment, the post includes a quadrangle (4-way) split shank for increased compliance and root stress reduction while providing very high mechanical grip strength and pull-out resistance. In another embodiment, a shortened threaded section and a thread-free shank tip minimize the possibility of root fracture while still providing high grip strength and pull-out resistance. Embodiments also include a radiused transition from a primary thread to a secondary thread portion of the shank for stress reduction; and axial grooves, cross-axis through holes and other shape features of the post head for increased crown retention strength.

An archwire for use with a passive self-ligation orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a resilient main body which is received in the archwire slot, and which further has a predetermined width dimension, and a variable thickness dimension, and wherein the variable thickness dimension of the archwire can be varied so as to facilitate an adjustable application of a force to the passive self-ligation orthodontic bracket so as to achieve a clinician selectable and controllable second and third order movement of a patient's tooth.

An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes an archwire slot for receiving and cooperating with an archwire having a given shape, and wherein the bracket body has multiple forms each having an immovable anterior facing surface which lies in a given plane, and wherein the various forms of the bracket body can be rendered operable to express first, second or third order movement to a patient's tooth undergoing a clinician directed orthodontic treatment.

Custom dental prosthesis or implants each individually designed and manufactured to replace nonfunctional natural teeth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example dental prosthesis/implant includes a dental implant body having a prosthesis interface formed therein to receive an occlusally-facing dental prosthesis component. The prosthesis interface has a custom three-dimensional surface shape positioned and formed to create a form locking fit with respect to the occlusally-facing dental prosthesis component when positioned thereon.

A method of analyzing a positional relationship between a dental restoration and a dental substructure. The method has steps of scanning a reference area and determining the shape of the dental substructure in its positional relationship to the reference area, and thereby providing a virtual dental substructure model and scanning the reference area along with scanning at least a portion of the dental restoration in fit position with the dental substructure to provide a virtual assembly model. The method further has the step of providing fitting quality information between the dental restoration model and the dental substructure model. The method utilizes superposing of further virtual models to provide the fitting quality information. The method facilitates the assessment of the quality of the fit between a dental restoration and a dental substructure.

Methods are provided for regulating tooth movement and for maintaining or improving tissue health using heavy forces. Such methods comprise allowing a heavy force to be exerted on one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone of the patient, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the heavy force is exerted. The light can have a wavelength in the range of about 585 nm to about 665 nm, or about 815 nm to about 895 nm. An apparatus useful for providing light therapy is also provided.

An ornament for attachment to orthodontic braces, the orthodontic braces having an arch wire overlying a laterally adjacent pair of teeth, the ornament having a web having a front end and a rear end; the ornament further having a first arm fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the web's front end; the ornament further having a second arm fixedly attached to and extending downwardly from the web's rear end; the ornament further having a channel bounded by structures including the web, the first arm, and the second arm, the channel being fitted for, upon a passage of the arch wire between the first and second arms, nestingly receiving the arch wire.

Techniques and methods for utilizing ion implantation to modify dental archwires are provided. An example of a method of ion implanting a wire target includes providing the wire target in an ion implant system, implanting ions into the wire target such that a color of the wire target material after the implanting exhibits a changed appearance from the color of the wire target material before the implanting, and removing the wire target from the ion implant system. An example of a copper-aluminum-nickel (CuAlNi) wire includes an ion implanted atomic species wherein a color of an implanted CuAlNi wire is white, off-white and/or silver and further wherein the implanted CuAlNi wire exhibits mechanical properties of an unimplanted CuAlNi wire.

Methods and apparatus are provided for generating computer 3D models of an object, by registering two or more scans of physical models of an object. The scans may be 3D scans registered by a curve-based registration process. A method is provided for generating a 3D model of a portion of a patient's oral anatomy for use in dental restoration design. Also provided are scanning workflows for scanning physical models of an object to obtain a 3D model.

The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a blank from a ceramic material, wherein at least two layers of ceramic material of different compositions are filled into a die layer-by-layer and after filling of the layers they are then pressed and sintered, wherein after filling of a first layer this is structured on its surface in such a way that the first layer, viewed across its surface, differs in its height from region to region, and then a layer with a composition that differs from the first layer is filled as a second layer into the mold.

A hydraulic circuit includes a clutch actuator operatively associated with a clutch that may be disposed in a transmission. A hydraulic fluid source supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid for the clutch actuator. To measure the filling rate of the hydraulic actuator, a reference actuator having a predetermined filling rate is disposed in parallel with the hydraulic actuator and in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid source. If hydraulic pressure associated with the reference actuator does not correspond to the hydraulic pressure associated with the clutch actuator, a compensation valve can appropriately respond by selectively directing hydraulic fluid to or from the clutch actuator. In a further embodiment, the reference actuator and compensation valve may be replaced with an electrohydraulic valve utilizing feedback from the hydraulic pressure present at the inlet of the clutch actuator.

A hydraulic circuit includes a clutch actuator operatively with a clutch that may be disposed in a transmission. A hydraulic fluid source supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid for the clutch actuator. An on-off valve is disposed in fluid communication between the clutch actuator and the hydraulic fluid source; the on-off valve configured to fill the clutch actuator with hydraulic fluid. An accumulator is disposed in parallel with the on-off valve and in fluid communication with the clutch actuator. The accumulator is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid redirected from the clutch actuator and to provide a counter-pressure for modulating the clutch actuator.