Abstract:
A wall bed is configured to allow a user to maximize a living space with a functional bed that can transform from daytime use to nighttime use. The wall bed is configured to function and serve a plurality of purposes as an entertainment center, a bedroom, or an office and is easily operable between these purposes with simple movements. The wall bed system comprises of a fireplace that has an embedded television which can function both as a television and be used to simulate an active fire via an external source connected to the television. The wall bed also comprises of an adjustable workstation where a height of the workstation may be adjusted to suit a user to work either standing up or sitting down. The wall bed also comprises of a bed and other fixtures such as and not limited to a mirror and an artwork.
Abstract:
Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).
Abstract:
A method for stabilizing a spine includes providing a coupling element having upper and lower ends, a rod receiving opening adapted to receive an elongated stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end and a seat surrounding the bore adjacent the lower end; providing a fastener having upper and lower ends, a head having a radial surface, and at least one anchoring element between the lower end of the fastener and the head; assembling the fastener with the coupling element; anchoring the fastener to bone; moving the coupling element relative to the fastener for capturing the elongated stabilizing rod in the rod receiving opening; and urging the captured stabilizing rod toward the head of the fastener so that the rod contacts the head and forces the radial surface of the head against the seat.
Abstract:
A method for stabilizing a spine includes providing a coupling element having upper and lower ends, a rod receiving opening adapted to receive an elongated stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end and a conical-shaped seat surrounding the bore adjacent the lower end; providing a fastener having upper and lower ends, a head having a radial surface, and at least one anchoring element between the lower end of the fastener and the head; assembling the fastener with the coupling element so that the lower end of the fastener passes through the bore of the coupling element and the radial surface of the head engages the conical-shaped seat. The method also includes anchoring the fastener to bone; moving the coupling element relative to the fastener for capturing the elongated stabilizing rod in the rod receiving opening; and urging the captured stabilizing rod toward the head of the fastener so that the rod contacts the head and forces the radial surface of the head against the conical-shaped seat of the coupling element for locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the fastener.
Abstract:
Selective thermal examination of a target is provided by scanning the field of view of an infrared detector over predetermined areas of a target. The selection is made by a plurality of infrared fibers having first and second ends with the first ends being stationarily mounted in a fixed array suitable for being scanned by the detector or a detector coupled to each first end which are electrically scanned, while the second ends of the infrared fibers are directed by the user to selected areas of the target which are desired to be thermally examined. The infrared detector or detectors are then scanned over the first ends of the infrared fibers in the fixed array for sequentially thermally examining the selected areas of the target. The selected areas may be changed simply by rearranging and redirecting the second ends of the infrared fibers with respect to the target areas desired to be examined.
Abstract:
Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).
Abstract:
A method for stabilizing a spine includes providing a coupling element having upper and lower ends, a rod receiving opening adapted to receive an elongated stabilizing rod, a bore extending through the lower end and a conical-shaped seat surrounding the bore adjacent the lower end; providing a fastener having upper and lower ends, a head having a radial surface, and at least one anchoring element between the lower end of the fastener and the head; assembling the fastener with the coupling element so that the lower end of the fastener passes through the bore of the coupling element and the radial surface of the head engages the conical-shaped seat. The method also includes anchoring the fastener to bone; moving the coupling element relative to the fastener for capturing the elongated stabilizing rod in the rod receiving opening; and urging the captured stabilizing rod toward the head of the fastener so that the rod contacts the head and forces the radial surface of the head against the conical-shaped seat of the coupling element for locking the coupling element from further movement relative to the fastener.
Abstract:
A microwave viewing device and, more particularly, an arrangement facilitating the internal viewing of a microwave oven during the preparation of a food product or the like in a microwaving process. The viewing device incorporates a tubular support which is extendable through an opening formed in a side wall of a microwave oven, and which extends into close proximity to a food product being subjected to microwave processing in the oven. The viewing device includes a member constituted of telescopable tubular sections; in essence, which member is adapted to be varied in length by adding or removing sections, in dependence upon the size of the food product contained in the microwave oven, and which includes grid structure for supporting an optical viewing device within and in coaxial relationship with the tubular member; with the optical viewing device, such as an endoscope, fiberscope, boroscope or the like, being conducted outwardly from the microwave oven into operative interconnection with a suitable photographic or video recording apparatus. Within the tubular member, the viewing device, which is hereinafter generally referred to as an endoscope, is supported in concentric and coaxial relationship therewith through the interposition, in the annular space between the outer diameter of the shaft of the endoscope and the inner diameter of the tubular member of at least one transversely extending aperture disc component having a plurality of grid-forming through holes provided therein, and which will to a considerable degree reduce the leakage of microwave from the interior of the microwave oven.
Abstract:
Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).
Abstract:
A toy having a pivotable component in the form of a construction wheel loader having a shovel, the toy including a manually actuable handle cocking a spring coupled to a slidable member having a rack portion for operating the shovel. Movement of the slidable member during cocking of the handle simultaneously moves a coupler connected to a piston slidable axially within a stationary closed ended cylinder. The piston has a minute aperture in the face thereof with a larger aperture in the skirt thereof with the apertures being on opposite sides of the piston seal. A locking lever coacts with the coupler for retaining the parts in the powered position against the force of the spring. Manual release of the locking lever permits the spring to urge against the slidable member with the two apertures in the piston providing speed regulation during movement of the piston into the cylinder for moving the slidable member gradually.