text:
Faculty and Staff Resources
Success Coach Open Enrollment for Spring 2015 is now open! - DETAILS
Academic Excellence Awards Program
Academic Skills Lab
Campus Police
Chief Financial Officer
"College Update" from President Massey
Composition Program
Copy Center
Distance Learning
Emergency Procedures Manual
Facilities Services Policies & Procedures Manual
Faculty Excellence Award
Faculty Senate
Faculty/Staff Directory
GroupWise© (WebAccess) | Auto-forwarding myPittCC email to GroupWise.
Helpdesk info (for technical support & requests for ALL technical services)
Human Resources/Employment
Leadership Institute
Mail/Courier Services
NCCCS Faculty/Staff Listings
Off-Campus Housing
OITS (Office of Information Technology Services)
Part-time Instructors Manual
Planning & Analysis
Registration Resources for Faculty
Religious Observances Policy For Students
Student Development Services:
- Academic Dishonesty Cheating Report Form
- FERPA Release Form
- Inappropriate Student Behavior Report Form - PDF | DOC
- LCD Display Board Permit
- Student Accident/Injury Report Form
- Student Athlete Accident/Injury Form - ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT USE ONLY
- Student Activity Committee (SAC) Request for Funds
- Trip Release Form
Technical Support
United Way Campaign
Way to Success (homepage)
- Way to Success Training Guide
Web Attendance:
- User's manual for web attendance
> Tips for using Web Attendance Tracking
- Using web attendance make-up forms
> Quick tips for using web attendance make-up forms
Wellness Program

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This item has been discontinued and is no longer available
My name is modelname
Ordering for a Team?
Let our Team Division Help!
Item has a Minimum Qty
High-waisted for greater coverage and comfort, the Isis® Women's Everyday Chantilly Yoga Brief is a yogi's dream come true.
Get an alert when we add new styles of Isis! Simply sign up and we'll notify you.
At ISIS, we exist to make a difference in the lives of women. We are passionate about growing the community of women who are inspired to live an active life. Follow us on Facebook for the most update happenings.


text:
Free Crochet Patterns | CrochetN'Crafts
Green and Pink Doily crochet pattern from Doilies, originally published by American Thread Co, Star Book No. 124, in 1955. Free crochet patterns for baby blankets, hats, dish cloths, slippers, bags, ponchos and wraps and more.
Crochet Doilies – Pinterest
8/8/2010 · crochet patterns, stitches, doilies,chart patterns,tutorial,step by step patterns, video tutorial.
How to Crochet spiral scrubbies with a pattern « Knitting & Crochet
Blog about crochet, freeform crochet, crochet design, crochet patterns, crochet motifs, crochet masks, crochet hats, masks,
Beautiful Crochet Tulip Doily by DoilyMania on Etsy | Craft Juice
Mimi's Crochet Page – Web Space Outlet – Established and reliable
Learn how to make a crochet plant holder to hang your favorite plants — the perfect summer decor idea!
Lots of Crochet Stitches by M. J. Joachim: Simple Spiral Crochet
Dances With Wools Blog Archive A Giant Crochet Doily Rug for
Barbara Binda is using Pinterest, an online pinboard to collect and share what inspires you. Free crochet patterns. Beginner Crochet Patterns, Crochet for Baby & Children, Crochet for Dolls, Crochet Food, Holiday Crochet Patterns, Crochet Afghans & Blankets
Lots of Crochet Stitches by M. J. Joachim: Old Sheet Rag Rug – WIP
Summer DIY Ideas: How To Make A Hanging Crochet Plant Holder
This is a slideshow of all the designs in the books 'Victorian Spiral Doilies' & 'Doilies with a Twist' by Patricia (Trish) Kristoffersen. Join me on Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Lacy Crochet [Chronicle Books] on Amazon.com. *FREE* super saver shipping on qualifying offers. Kyuuto! = Cute! Savvy crafters know that
Summer flowers by DoilyMania on Etsy | Craft Juice
Crochet Doilies Home and Garden – Shopping.com
Heirloom Gift ~ Custom Handmade Personalized Filet Crochet Name Doily $7 Per Letter Unique idea for a Wedding Shower, Anniversary, or Baby Gift This auction is PER Learn to crochet one stitch at a time This stitch can be done with any size yarn and hook. Down at bottom you can see I used 10ply or 4 ply US yarn and a 3.5mm hook
Granny Square Woman: vesy easy small scrubbie pattern
Crochet: Doilies – Pinterest
Find best value and selection for your YOUR PERSONALIZED HANDMADE CROCHET NAME DOILY DOILIES search on eBay. World's leading marketplace. Crochet, gardening, home, family, pets, From a 1979 publication "Crocheters Dreams Designed by Elizabeth Hiddleston – Volume 23" came this lovely doily.
Flower Spiral Motif – Meladora's Creations Free Crochet Patterns
Learn all there is to learn about yarn from Naztazia watch this video tutorial to learn how to crochet spiral scrubbies with a pattern. The pattern for crocheting
interesting projects update crochet from doilies to wearable fashion
Lady Fiddler's Photo Gallery – Crocheted Doilies
Crochet doily patterns can be a fun project for all crocheters and the results can be used in many different ways, either on its own or to add an embellishment to Welcome to my Crochet page. Here you'll find pictures and descriptions of my current and past projects in both yarn and thread. I have also included some useful
:: Buy "Strawberries & Cream Large Pink Crochet Doily" | Craft Juice
YOUR PERSONALIZED HANDMADE CROCHET NAME DOILY DOILIES | eBay
Crochet-Along and learn Filet Crochet techniques. Beginner to Advanced Crochet-Along classes to make doilies, curtains, table runners, table toppers, tablecloths
Spiral Rose Doily Crochet Pattern 15-17" – KarensVariety.com
Free Crochet Patterns and Projects, How To Crochet Guides, Charts
You've all seen the pictures on Pinterest for that giant doily rug. I repinned it myself. It's just gorgeous and it led me to search for others of its kind. I had created a series of round spiral blankets and then forgot to post the pattern after I had people test the pattern.
Crochet Patterns, Crochet Projects, Tips, Video, How-To Crochet and


text: Accommodation, restaurants, things to do, festivals, golf, lagoon, Largest Accommodation Booking Site in Africa, 14277 establishments! Greatguide.co. South Africa Accommodation, Hotels / South Africa Travel. Fodor's Travel Guides - Plan Your Trip Online. Airline Seating Charts - Best Airplane Seats - SeatGuru. Book cheap flights, hotels, car rental and holiday packages on Travelstart.


text: http://www.talkandroid.com – Verizon's HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE has received a nice upgrade that benefits customers who travel internationally as the addition of global roaming support has been added. ISIS, Verizon's mobile payment system has also been added into the update along with Verizon's remote diagnostics tool, improved 4G connectivity and more. The update isn't quite ready for mass consumption yet, so keep your eye out for further updates as to when the update will be available for you. Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more! (IT news)


text:
Item: NFM002
If you are dissatisfied for any reason, we'll give you a full refund and pay return shipping. Lee Swanson, President of Swanson Health Products
Ingredients: Oils of Sesame, Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Wheat Germ; essential oils of Nutmeg, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Cumin.
Directions: Gently massage over body until evenly spread.
For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes, open wounds, sensitive areas.
Made in USA.
Look here for an easy way to
navigate to your previously
viewed products.


text:
Last year marked the strongest 12-month stretch of home sales in the Lowcountry since the housing crisis sent the industry into a tailspin, according to a new report.
County breakdowns
Charleston County 5,987 homes sold, up 20% from 2011. Median price: $228,000, up 3.6% from 2011. Berkeley County2,299 homes sold, up 3% from 2011. Median price: $167,500, up 3% from 2011. Dorchester County1,930 homes sold, up 8% from 2011.Median price: $167,500, up 4.7% from 2011. Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors said Thursday that 10,574 homes changed hands in 2012, the largest volume of home sales in the region of Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties since 12,921 homes were sold in 2007.
The regions median price climbed to $190,065 last year, nearly 5 percent higher than 2011. It remained about 9 percent off the comparable figure of $207,850 for 2007. Owen Tyler, the associations president, said sales exceeded expectations last year, and there is optimism for 2013.
His sentiments were echoed by Dave Sansom. Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service president, who tied the rising home sales volume in part to the rising population in the region and strong local economic underpinnings.
While we dont expect, or want, to see unsustainable major growth on the pricing side, we do expect that 2013 will be another strong year for the Charleston real estate market as our local economy continues to strengthen and grow, Sansom said.
Charleston County had the biggest sales jump in the region, with 5,987 homes changing hands last year, up 20 percent from 2011.
Realtors have said lower prices and mortgage rates compared to years ago continue to drive sales.
Other highlights of 2012 included a pronounced drop in the number of listed homes.
There were 5,420 properties displayed as for sale in the local Multiple Listing Service as of Thursday, compared to the 7,000 at the end of 2011, the association reported.
The inventory has been thinned to roughly a six-month supply, a level experts consider an ideal balance.
Some area agents have said the dwindling inventory is giving sellers an edge over buyers.
The falling supply has helped jump-start several stalled new-home developments, including the 4,300-acre Carnes Crossroads in Goose Creek and Carolina Park near the north end of Mount Pleasant.
The year closed on a strong note, with 894 homes selling at a median price of $200,000 in December. That compared to 785 sales at a median price of $186,050 a year earlier.
Also Thursday, the association revised its sales data slightly higher for November to show 849 homes sold for a median price of $192,500.
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click the X that appears in the upper right corner when you hover over a comment. This will send the comment to Facebook for review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.


text:
About The Store
About The Company
All Products
Shipping and Policy
0 items
Check out
Asylum 4 Ring Locking Chastity Cage
XR Brands
Default - $71.75
They will be compliant and under your control while wearing this devious chastity cage. Stainless steel and featuring a curved spine with enclosure rings and a removable cum-thru plug. Simply place him in the cage and fasten the base ring behind the testicles, then lock him up with the enclosed lock and key set. You decide when he is free...Set includes: 1 four ring cock cage, 1 base ring, 1 removable plug, 1 comfort hinge tube, 1 lock, 3 keys. The stainless steel material is non-porous, hygienic, easy to sterilize, temperature resistant, impact resistant, and offers long-term value.
Cage: 4 inches in length, 1.3 inches in diameter; Urethral spout: 2 inches in length, 0.25 inches in diameter; Ring: 1.75 inches in diameter
Stainless steel
These products as with all products on this site are supplied
. No warranty is given either implied or expressed. Products are intended as novelty only, and no representation is made or implied as to their suitability or safety for any particular use. Purchasers use the products entirely at their own risk. The manufacturer or re-seller is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damage or loss howsoever arising caused by use or misuse of the products. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to the products and personal injury or damages due to use or misuse.
Product UPC : 848518005724
Asylum 6 Ring Locking Chastity Cage
Ball Crusher Attachment for Ball Weights
Ball Press Chamber
Ball Stretcher Weight for CBT Size : 16-16oz
Product Categories
Anal Toys
Beginner Bondage
Blushing Bunnies
Bondage Gear
Boys Toys
Clothing And Lingerie
Cock And Ball Torment
Cock Rings
Electrosex Gear
Enlargement Gear
Erotic Books
Fetish Fantasy
Gift Cards
Glass Toys
Handcuffs And Steel
Hoods And Blindfolds
Huge Insertables
Kink Industries
Masturbation Toys & Sex Dolls
Medical Gear
Miscellaneous Toys & Lubricants
Mouth Gags
Multi-ring Cock Rings
New Products
Nipple Toys
Penis Jewelry
Rabbit Vibrators
Rocks Off Ltd
Sex Machines
Size Matters
Strap-ons And Harnesses
Swings And Sex Aids
Whips,crops,floggers & Impact
Xr Brands


text:
|Nomination denied. Thank you for nominating this image. Unfortunately, it does not fall within the Guidelines because only two active nominations per user are allowed.
This template is for use on the Featured picture candidates page. Please use it only when there are more then two active nominations by a user


text:
A pair of Italian artists who spent two years pilfering fragments of various celebrated contemporary art objects are now exhibiting their collection of souvenirs under the heading "Stolen Pieces."
Eva and Franco Mattes chipped, clipped and pried bits of works by Oldenburg, Beuys, Warhol, Koons and even Duchamp out of their museum settings and arranged them under glass. The pursuit of these trophies raises poignant questions about the curatorial impulse -- is the museum really just a magpie's hoard writ large? -- and the ontological place of contemporary art objects. Is it still a Duchamp (replica) if the label has been chiseled off? Or is it just another (fake) urinal?
At Postmasters in New York through June 19.


text:
Jan. 7, 2010
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Willie Galick came off the bench to score 15 points and grab six rebounds but it wasn't enough as Cal State Northridge dropped a 65-62 decision to UC Irvine in a Big West Conference game on Thursday night at The Matadome.
Galick hit 4-of-6 shots along with seven free throws in ten attempts in 33 minutes of play.
Kevin Menner and Kenny Daniels each added eleven points. Menner and Daniels collected ten rebounds with Daniels handling six caroms.
Eric Wise led UC Irvine with 14 points and six rebounds.
The game was close from start to finish. The Matadors biggest lead in the first half was four points, 7-3, at the 15:55 mark. UCI's biggest lead was six points, 26-20, at the 4:05 mark. The game was tied six times in the first half.
At the break, the Anteaters led 33-30.
In all, the game was tied 13 times.
With 2:13 left in the game, a three-pointer by Derrick Strings gave the visitors from Orange County a 62-59 lead. A Darren Moore free throw with 1:43 remaining gave UCI a 63-59 advantage.
Then Kenny Daniels hit a three-pointer at 1:34 to cut the UCI margin to one point, 63-62, with 1:34 remaining.
Then with six seconds remaining, Moore hit two free throws to make it 65-62.
A missed three-point jumper by the Matadors fell short with one second to play as UCI walked away with the win.
Cal State Northridge is now 4-10 overall and 0-3 in the Big West Conference. UC Irvine is 8-7 overall and 2-1 in league play.
Cal State Northridge returns to action on Monday, January 11, when the Matadors hosts Seattle University in a non-league game.
The Redbirds are fresh off a 99-48 victory at Oregon State. Center Charles Garcia Jr,. leads the Seattle attack averaging 22.6 points (ninth in the nation) and 8.7 rebounds per game. Game time is 8:00 p.m.


text:
- 4
- people in the U.S. have this name View Renato Scala on Whitepages
Meaning & Origins
(Italian) From the Late Latin name Renatus 'reborn', popular among early Christians as a name celebrating spiritual rebirth in Christ.
|2,205th in the U.S.
Italian and Greek (Skalas): habitational or topographic name from any of various places named with scala 'ladder', 'steps', 'wharf'. In Greece this is especially common as the name of a settlement by the seashore, often with the main settlement on higher ground above. Elsewhere, especially in Italy, it also denotes a stepped or terraced landscape, as for example Scala in Salerno province, Scala Coeli in Cosenza, or the district so named in Torregrotta, in Messina province, Sicily.
|9,007th in the U.S.
Nicknames & variations
Renata, Renate, Renatta, Renat, Renatha, Renatto, Renauta, Renati, Renatt, Renatte
Scales, Seal, Scully, Scalf, Seale, Scalise, Sealy, Scalzo, Sealey, Swallow


text:
City, building authority move ahead on sports complex
The Gatlinburg City Commission entered into an agreement with the Gatlinburg Public Building Authority (PBA) that allows the authority to provide certain construction services for the youth sports complex project.
Mayor Mike Werner said the agreement allows the city to use the PBA as a conduit to hire a construction manager, "instead of the city just doing it, where everything would be subject to public law."
"It's a type of building process that helps you get the best bids for construction and really opens opportunities to hire local contractors," he said.
Ten construction companies applied to be construction manager for the project. The bids were received around mid-December, and Werner said officials chose Blaine Construction of Knoxville.
"They had more experience with sports facilities," he said.
Under the agreement, the PBA must follow the city's construction specifications, and it must provide the city a budget for construction that includes the contract cost with the construction manager.
City Manager Cindy Ogle said the approach is "basically a method to do a design-and-build" that state laws allow municipalities to utilize.
"We used this approach on the Mills Conference Center project about five or six years ago very successfully," Ogle said.
Werner said that, in a nutshell, "it lets us proceed with the construction side of the project."
Ogle said the PBA will meet next Thursday to discuss further terms.
At Tuesday's meeting, the commission also approved:
- The first reading of an ordinance to amend the Gatlinburg Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 830, which would reclassify parcels 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of Tax Map 126N, Group G, located on Reagan Drive and Trentham Lane in Gatlinburg, from R-2 (medium density) residential district to R-3 (high density) residential district, and parcel 6 of Tax Map 126N, Group G, on Trentham Lane, from C-2 (general business) commercial district to R-3 residential district. The amendment passed the city planning commission on Dec. 20.
- A contract with Whaley and Sons Inc. related to the River Road Sidewalk Project.


text:
The UK's fastest-growing regional news network
See the full forecast for your area.
Sponsored by Britelite.
Home Canterbury Sport Article
Whitstable joint-manager Danny Ward has described Saturday's FA Cup preliminary round tie at Walton Casuals as "an accident waiting to happen" because the Surrey club are bottom of the table with no points from six matches.
However, Ward knows that if his side continue in their current form, then there will surely only be one winner.
The Oystermen have made their best start to the season since winning promotion to Ryman League, Division 1 South seven years ago, rising to fourth in the table after their two wins over the Bank Holiday weekend, 3-2 at Redhill on Saturday followed by a 3-1 success over Ramsgate at The Belmont on Monday.
Ward said: "I missed the two games over the weekend because I was attending a family wedding in Scotland but I'm told the two performances were excellent, with six goals and six points.
"We are a lot further ahead of where I expected us to be at this stage. I thought it would take at least a month to get the team settled into playing with each other and to our new style of play."
If there are no Cup replays, Whitstable will host Folkestone in the league on Tuesday.
Ward also confirmed the club have made a seven-day approach for Sittingbourne keeper Adam Molloy and can speak to him on Sunday.
Click here for more sport from Canterbury.
Click here for more news from around the county.
Don't have an account? Please Register first!
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.
Thank you. Your comment has been received and will appear on the site shortly.
Terms of Comments
We do not actively moderate, monitor or edit contributions to the reader comments but we may intervene and take such action as we think necessary, please click here for our house rules.. If you have any concerns over the contents on our site, please either register those concerns using the report abuse button, contact us here, email email@example.com or call 01634 227989.


text:
A 6-axis laser measurement system includes a novel 5-D measurement apparatus and a precision laser roll detector. The 5-D system measures pitch, yaw, X, Y, and Z displacements with a single setup of a laser head and detection housing. The laser roll detector uses a polarizing prism, such as a Glan-Thompson prism, and at least two photodetectors. A linearly polarized laser beam enters the prism, and the beam is split into two polarized components, the intensities of which vary with roll orientation of the detector relative to the polarized laser beam. The outputs of the two photodetectors are connected to the positive and negative inputs, respectively, of a high gain differential amplifier which provides a roll output.
1. A laser roll detection system comprising:
a laser which generates a laser beam;
polarizing means associated with the laser for polarizing the laser beam into at least a first and a second component; and
a roll measurement sensor including:
polarization beamsplitting means for separating the first polarized beam component from the second polarized beam component;
first intensity sensing means for sensing an intensity of the first component of the beam and providing an intensity output;
second intensity sensing means for sensing an intensity of the second component of the beam and providing an intensity output; and
differential amplifying means having positive and negative inputs connected to the outputs of the first and second intensity sensing means, respectively, for providing an output indicating a roll orientation of the roll measurement sensor relative to the laser and polarizing means.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the polarization beamsplitting means includes a Glan-Thompson polarization beamsplitter.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the polarizing means includes a Glan-Thompson prism polarizer.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second intensity sensing means include first and second photodiodes, respectively.
5. A multi-axis measuring system, comprising:
a laser producing a laser beam;
a polarizer arranged to polarize the laser beam;
a first beam splitter disposed within a housing and arranged to split the polarized laser beam into first and second components;
a first sensor which detects the first component and measures displacement in y and z dimensions between the housing and the laser;
a reflector for reflecting the second component back through the first beam splitter, the first beam splitter separating the second component into a reflected signal and a passing signal;
a second sensor which detects the passing signal of the second component and measures angular pitch and yaw displacement between the housing and the laser beam; and
a third sensor which detects the reflected signal of the second component and measures displacement in an x dimension between the laser and the housing.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first and second sensors are dual axis lateral effect detectors.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the third sensor is an interferometer associated with the laser.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the interferometer includes a plurality of photodiodes and a circuit for generating an A-quad-B output.
9. The system of claim 5, further comprising a focusing lens between the reflector and the second sensor.
10. The system of claim 5, wherein the third sensor is contained in the laser.
11. The system of claim 5, wherein the third sensor and the laser are separated but connected by a polarization maintaining fiber optic cable.
12. The system of claim 5, further comprising a second beam splitter between the polarizer and the first beam splitter, the second beam splitter splitting a portion of the laser beam to a roll detector.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the roll detector includes:
a polarization beam splitter for generating first and second polarized split beams;
first and second intensity detectors for measuring the intensity of the first and second polarized split beams, respectively; and
a differential amplifier for outputting an indication of roll displacement.
14. The system of claim 5, further comprising:
a transmitter for transmitting measurement information over a wireless communication link; and
a computer for receiving and processing the transmitted measurement information.
15. A method for determining the position of an object, comprising the steps of:
generating a polarized laser beam from a laser generator;
splitting the polarized laser beam into first and second components in a first beam splitter;
measuring object position in first and second dimensions by detecting the first component;
reflecting the second component through the first beam splitter to reflect a portion of the second component and pass a remaining portion of the second component;
measuring object position in a third dimension by detecting the reflected portion of the second component; and
measuring object position in fourth and fifth dimensions by detecting the remaining portion of the second component.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of focusing the remaining portion of the second component prior to measuring object position in the fourth and fifth dimensions.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
splitting the laser beam, in a second beam splitter, to generate a redirected portion of the laser beam; and
measuring object position in a sixth dimension based on the redirected portion.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of measuring object position in the sixth dimension is performed by:
splitting the redirected portion into first and second polarized portions;
measuring an intensity of each of the first and second polarized portions; and
differentially amplifying the intensity of each of the first and second polarized portions.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of measuring object position in the third dimension is performed by passing the reflected portion through the laser generator and a polarization maintaining fiber optic cable to an interferometer.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of transmitting object position measurement information over a wireless communication link to a computer for processing.
21. A method for detecting roll displacement, comprising the steps of:
generating, in a laser source, a laser beam polarized in at least two directions;
splitting, in a roll measurement sensor, the laser beam into first and second portions, each portion corresponding to a polarization direction;
sensing an intensity of each portion and providing first and second intensity outputs; and
differentially amplifying the first and second intensity outputs to provide an output indicative of a roll displacement between the roll measurement sensor and the laser source.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of splitting is performed by a Glan-Thompson polarization beamsplitter.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the laser source includes a laser for generating the laser beam and a Glan-Thompson polarizing prism for polarizing the laser beam in the at least two directions.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of sensing is performed by first and second photodiodes, each photodiode sensing one of the first and second portions.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/024,082 filed Aug. 16, 1996.
The present invention relates generally to precision measuring systems, and in particular, to six-axis position measuring systems incorporating an improved five-axis detection system and a precision laser roll detector.
There is a need for precision measuring systems which can be used to accurately determine positioning of an object. These measuring systems are particularly useful in calibrating and certifying machine tools, and for monitoring and controlling robots in industrial applications.
Five-axis precision laser measuring systems have been developed, such as the inventor's 5-D laser tracking system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,714,339. This system detects positioning in five "dimensions": X, Y, and Z displacement, pitch, and yaw. Laser detection of roll orientation has posed a more difficult problem, since roll does not necessarily result in any change in distance between the observing position and portions of the rolling element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,289 to Bockman discloses a laser interferometer system which detects roll using a laser and two photodetectors. Bockman, however, uses two separated beam paths and a mirror assembly to measure roll.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,921 to Chaney and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,196 to Cameron are similar to the Bockman patent in that they show roll measuring systems that use separated beam paths to measure roll. U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,270 to Miller et al. uses a diffraction grating to provide multiple beam portions to detect roll.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,611 to Huang et al. discloses a pitch and yaw measurement device which uses a polarizing beam splitter, two critical angle prisms, and two photodiodes to detect angular changes. However, this device does not provide roll detection.
A system was developed at the University of Michigan which uses two off-center retroreflectors on a common sensor head, aligned with two off-center laser beams, to detect roll. This general technique is relative inaccurate, and thus impractical for precision machine tool applications.
The inventor's company has sponsored research in the field of laser roll detection in collaboration with the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. As a result of this research, a laser roll detector was developed which uses a modulated, polarized laser beam which is passed through a Faraday cell, then a Glan-Thompson prism, and then to an intensity photodetector. The beam is dithered with a modulation frequency (e.g. 17 hz), and the dither frequency is then used to filter the intensity output to provide an output substantially free from the effects of beam intensity variations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,572 to Orloff shows a laser Doppler velocimeter where two photodetectors have outputs connected to a differential amplifier to cancel disturbances common to the measured light beams. However, there is no suggestion that this technique could be useful in a polarized laser beam for roll detection.
None of these previous developments has provided an entirely satisfactory precision laser roll detector, and there is a need for an improved precision laser roll detector which can be used alone or as a component of a multiple axis position detecting system. Further, none of these techniques has provided a completely satisfactory 5-D detection system.
Therefore, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved 5-axis and 6-axis precision laser measuring systems.
Another general object of the invention is to provide a precision laser roll detection system.
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a precision laser roll detection system that uses differential processing of the outputs of a plurality of photosensors to determine the roll orientation of an object.
Another object of the invention is to provide a laser roll detector that uses a single laser beam, a polarizing prism, and at least two photodetectors to determine roll orientation of an object.
A further object of the invention is to provide a laser roll detection system where a laser beam is linearly polarized and passed through a polarizing beamsplitting prism, which splits the beam into a plurality of polarized components, the intensities of which vary with roll orientation of the detector relative to the polarized laser beam.
Another object of the invention is to detect roll orientation of an object using a laser by differentially measuring polarized intensity components of the laser beam using a high gain differential amplifier.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved 5-axis and 6-axis precision laser measuring system employing a temperature stabilized laser.
These objects and others are achieved in the present invention by providing an improved 5-D laser measurement system which can measure pitch, yaw, and X, Y, and Z displacements simultaneously.
In a preferred embodiment, the 5-D system is combined with a precision laser roll detection apparatus to form a 6-D system. The laser roll detector uses a polarizing beamsplitting prism, such as a Glan-Thompson prism, and at least two photodetectors. A linearly polarized laser beam enters the prism, and the beam is split into two polarized components, the intensities of which vary with roll orientation of the detector relative to the polarized laser beam. The outputs of the two photodetectors are connected to the positive and negative inputs, respectively, of a high gain differential amplifier which provides a roll output.
FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a laser roll detection system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a laser roll detection system according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a five-axis position detection system incorporating the roll detection system shown in FIGS. 1 or 2 to form a six-axis detection system;
FIG. 4 is an assembly drawing of another preferred embodiment of the invention wherein laser head and interferometer units are provided in separate housings, connected by a polarization-maintaining fiber optic connection;
FIG. 5 is a block-schematic diagram of the detector output processing circuits used in the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a block schematic diagram showing a wireless connection of the sensors in the on-tool housing; and
FIG. 7 is an assembly drawing showing components of a temperature-stabilized laser according to the present invention.
The present invention provides a measurement system comprising a novel five-axis laser measurement system and a novel roll sensor. The five-axis system and the roll sensor may be used separately, or used in combination to provide a six-axis system.
The features of the roll sensor will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. In a first embodiment of the invention, a precision roll sensor 100 comprises laser 102, Glan-Thompson prism polarizer 104, and measurement sensor 105. Measurement sensor 105 includes Glan-Thompson polarization beamsplitter 106, photodiodes D1 and D2, differential amplifier 108, and computer 110.
Laser 102 preferably incorporates a microprocessor controlled intensity stabilizer to maintain a stable frequency output. An environmental compensator provides wavelength compensation.
Glan-Thompson prism polarizer 104 purifies the linear polarization of the beam output of laser 102. This linear polarization can be resolved into two orthogonal vector components, which will be referred to herein as horizontal and vertical, although it will be understood that the actual angular orientation of these two components may vary depending on the orientation and construction of prism polarizer 104.
The provision of Glan-Thompson prism polarizer 104 and Glan-Thompson polarization beamsplitter 106 in this embodiment results in a self-stabilizing beam system. When the laser beam hits polarizing beamsplitter 106, it is split into horizontally polarized and vertically polarized components as a result of the properties of beamsplitter 106. The horizontally polarized portion of the beam passes through beamsplitter 106 to photodiode D2 which generates an output signal corresponding to the intensity of the horizontally polarized portion of the beam. The vertically polarized portion of the beam is directed by beamsplitter 106 onto photodiode D1.
The intensity measurement outputs of photodiodes D1 and D2 are connected to the positive and negative inputs, respectively, of a high-gain differential amplifier 108, which provides an output representative of the roll between Glan-Thompson prism polarizer 104 and measurement sensor 105.
The beam is split into two differently polarized portions based on the exact roll orientation between polarizer 104 and measurement sensor 105. At a 45 degree roll orientation, photodiodes D1 and D2 will receive the same beam intensity. However, as the detector is rolled in either direction, one of the detectors will receive greater intensity than the other. The difference between these outputs is measured by differential amplifier 108 to provide an indication of roll. The subtraction operation of differential amplifier 108 also advantageously tends to compensate for background and extraneous noise, such as that produced by fluctuations in beam intensity and/or background light. Variations in beam output, as well as other signal noise that may be present, are measured by both photodiodes and are canceled out by the differential amplifier operation. This feature significantly enhances sensitivity and accuracy of the system.
The output of the laser roll detector is provided to computer 110 which is provided with software which records, analyzes, and makes appropriate compensations in the measured roll output.
Using computer 110, the system automatically corrects for nonlinearities in the roll measurement which have been identified by empirical use and through instrument calibration and validation procedures. As another example, the system may include a temperature compensation mechanism. The ambient temperature can be sensed and the measured roll can be corrected for variations caused by temperature, based on a computer temperature sensitivity model, generated from empirical measurements of the same roll of the same object at different temperatures.
FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the laser roll detection portion of the invention. A polarized laser 102 and a Glan-Thompson prism polarizer 104 are provided to generate a pure linearly polarized laser beam. Preferably, the direction of polarization is oriented at 45 degrees to the horizontal, so that this polarization can be resolved into horizontal and vertical vector components.
In this embodiment, the stationary laser beam generation assembly is provided with a reference sensor 201 comprising beamsplitter 204, polarization beamsplitter 206, photodiodes D3 and D4, and differential amplifier 212. Differential amplifier 212 provides an output varying with the polarization of the beam as measured at prism polarizer 104.
Beamsplitter 204 splits the incoming polarized laser beam into two paths, directed toward reference sensor 201 and measurement sensor 202 respectively.
Measurement sensor 202 comprises polarization beamsplitter 208, photodiodes D1 and D2, and differential amplifier 210. Differential amplifier 210 provides an output indicative of roll of measurement sensor 202 relative to the position of prism polarizer 104, in the same general manner described above with reference to FIG. 1.
Essentially, polarization beamsplitters 206 and 208 transmit the horizontally polarized component of the beam to photodiodes D3 and D2, respectively, and direct the vertically polarized beam component to photodiodes D4 and D1, respectively. The outputs of photodiodes D3 and D4 are connected to the positive and negative inputs, respectively, of differential amplifier 212. The outputs of photodiodes D1 and D2 are connected to the positive and negative inputs, respectively, of differential amplifier 210.
The outputs of differential amplifiers 210 and 212 are connected to the positive and negative inputs, respectively, of differential amplifier 214, which provides a roll output signal to computer 110. The outputs of measurement sensor 202 and reference sensor 201 are differentially combined in differential amplifier 214 to produce a roll output signal that is compensated f reduces the effect of laser source error on the resulting roll measurement, as compared to the configuration of FIG. 1.
In this embodiment, a Glan-Thompson beamsplitting prism is not used. Polarization beamsplitters 206 and 208 are more conventional and less expensive polarizing beamsplitters, constructed by epoxying two 45 degree prisms together with a polarization-sensitive dielectric coating between them.
Glan-Thompson polarizers and beamsplitters are used in the embodiments discussed above because they provide a particularly accurate beam polarization and split of the polarized beam, which is desirable for producing an extremely accurate roll detection. The Glan-Thompson prism has a high extinction ratio to polarized light--typically on the order of 105.
The sensor disclosed herein has a sensitivity of better than 0.2 arc-second over a 200 arc-second range, and sensitivities of better than 0.1 arc-second may be achieved using the techniques disclosed herein. However, because of the cost of the Glan-Thompson components, it may be desirable to replace the Glan-Thompson prism polarizer with a polarizing filter, depending on the accuracy required and whether that accuracy can be achieved through other compensating mechanisms.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the precision roll sensor as described herein is preferably combined with a novel five-axis measuring system which will now be described in detail. By combining the precision roll detector with a system capable of measuring X, Y, and Z displacements, pitch, and yaw, a system is provided that is capable of measuring six axes of movement, including X, Y, and Z displacements, pitch, yaw, and also roll. Alternatively, the novel five-axis system shown in FIG. 3 may be used independently in cases where no roll detection capability is desired.
The laser roll detector is preferably constructed as a cubical unit measuring about 3.8 cm on each side. In this manner, the laser roll detector can be easily integrated into the five-axis measuring sensor, requiring only a slight increase in casing size to accommodate the additional sensor. Referring to FIG. 3, a six-axis measuring system 300 constructed according to the invention comprises laser 102, polarizer 104, and sensor housing 302. Laser 102 includes a frequency stabilized laser interferometer 103 for measuring X-displacement. Housing 302 preferably measures 100 mm×75 mm×45 mm to accommodate a 5-D system, and is slightly larger for the 6-D system. In typical operation for analyzing performance of a machining system, housing 302 is mounted on the tool head of the machine tool and laser 102 and polarizer 104 are mounted on the machine table. The machine is then given movement commands and data on the resulting movement is produced by system 300 and recorded for analysis.
The operation and construction of the five-axis portion of the device will now be described in detail. Generally, as the laser beam enters housing 302, part of the beam energy is directed through beam splitter 322 to a dual axis lateral effect detector 312. Detector 312 is preferably a model SC10-D photodetector manufactured by United Detector Technology (UDT) Sensors, Inc. of Hawthorne, Calif. The outputs of detector 312 are measures of two lateral movements, or straightness errors (ΔY and ΔZ) of housing 302 with respect to the beam axis.
The remaining portion of the laser beam energy is directed into retroreflector 310 by beam splitter 322. Retroreflector 310 provides a beam reflection which is directed against another portion of beam splitter 322, and is partially diverted back to the laser location. The beam reflection produced by retroreflector 310 is interferometrically processed at the laser location by interferometer 103 to determine X-displacement. The interferometer 103 provided at the laser transmission location include four PIN photodiodes and a circuit for generating a conventional A-quad-B interferometer output, such as a model 501A optical phase decoder manufactured by CMX Systems, Inc. The output of interferometer 103 is processed by computer 110 to count passage of interferometrically produced fringes as the distance between the laser and housing 302 changes, and to measure partial fringe movement to obtain accuracy greater than would be obtained by relying only on the fringe count.
The remaining beam energy transmitted from retroreflector 310 passes through beam splitter 322 and is directed to a focusing lens 306 and then focused onto a dual axis lateral effect detector 308. Detector 308 may be, for example, a DL-4 detector manufactured by UDT Sensors Inc. Detector 308 is placed in the focal plane of focusing lens 306 which effectively performs the basic function of a dual-axis electronic autocollimator. Thus, detector 308 measures angular displacements (pitch and yaw) of housing 302 with respect to the incoming beam axis. Detector 308 is rendered relatively insensitive to lateral translations of housing 302 by virtue of the configuration of its light path, which includes focusing lens 306. Focusing lens 306 tends to focus input light across its width onto a single focal point. However, changes in the impact angle of light on focusing lens 306 (resulting from changes in pitch and yaw of the device with respect to the beam) shift the focal point, and this shift is measured by detector 308.
Detector 308 is located at the end of an elongated path created by mirrors 314, 316, and 318. This longer path increases sensitivity, and thus provides a substantial improvement in performance compared to previous versions of the same 5-D design. Adjustment screws 320 permit fine adjustment of the beam direction onto the center of angle detector 308 from the outside of housing 302.
Thus, by virtue of the interferometer and the two detectors 308 and 312, five angular and displacement measurements can be obtained simultaneously. The output of interferometer 103 is a signal in A-quad-B format, while detectors 308 and 312 provide four-pin outputs D1 and D2 respectively. The outputs of detectors 308 and 312 are processed by summing and difference amplifier circuits specified by the detector manufacturer, and the resulting signals are digitized and provided to computer 110 for storage, analysis, and display.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 4, the laser 102 (shown in FIGS. 1 through 3) is separated into two discrete components, an interferometer head 402 containing the interferometer, receiver optics, sensors, and fringe-counting circuits, and a remote laser head 404 containing the frequency stabilized laser. Interferometer head 402 and laser head 404 are connected by a polarization maintaining (PM) fiber optic cable 406. In operation on a machine tool or other measurement application, remote laser head 404 may be placed in any convenient location, while interferometer head 402 is mounted in a secure, fixed location, typically on a machine tool table for machine tool performance evaluation applications.
This separation of the units provides several significant advantages. First, this embodiment moves the laser, which is a heat source, away from the precision detectors in the interferometer head, thus reducing temperature variation effects on the detectors, and increasing precision. Second, the size reduction in the interferometer head resulting from the removal of the laser makes it easier to install and align the interferometer head. Third, the inventors have discovered that the use of a PM fiber tends to reshape the laser beam and improve pointing stabilization of the beam, overcoming beam wandering. The length of the PM fiber is preferably at least several inches long to provide the desired improvement in stabilization of the beam by virtue of the polarizing features of the fiber. However, for practical use, the PM fiber may be about two meters long or longer, to make possible a variety of mounting positions for the laser unit in the area around the machine tool.
The outputs of the sensors of the five-axis system and the output of measurement sensor 105 are processed and connected to computer 110 using the circuits described above, and further shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 shows interface circuit 500 which is preferably connected between the laser head, housing 302, and computer 110. Interface circuit 500 provides signal processing and digitizing functions, and provides the resulting measurement data to computer 110 using an RS-232 interface. Interface circuit 500 comprises microcontroller 502, connecting logic 504, analog to digital converter 506, amplifiers 508, 510, and 512, digitizer 514, counter 516, high speed processing circuits 518, and RS-232 interface 520.
As shown in FIG. 5, a weather station 522 is connected through amplifier 510 to A/D converter 506. The weather station senses air pressure, air temperature, and material temperature in the area of interest and provides an analog output signal representing each of these quantities. Sensor housing 302 (and particularly detectors 308 and 312 shown in FIG. 3) are connected through amplifiers 512 to A/D converter 506. A frequency stabilization control 524 associated with laser 102 is connected to laser 102 and through amplifier 508 to A/D converter 506. A/D converter 506 provides a 14 bit high resolution multiplexed digital output to microcontroller 502 to indicate the status of analog signals from frequency stabilization control 524, weather station 522, and sensor housing 302. Logic 504 provides an interface from microcontroller 502 to frequency stabilization control 524 for purposes of feedback control.
Interferometer 103 is connected to digitizer 514 which receives signals from the interferometer and converts them to digital format before transmitting them to counter 516. If interferometer 103 provides output in A-quad-B digital format, digitizer 514 may be omitted and the interferometer output can be connected directly to counter 516. Counter 516 is connected to microcontroller 502 and provides an indication of the number of interference fringes which have been detected as a result of movement of the target relative to laser 102. Optionally, high speed processing circuits 518 may be provided if high speed movement is to be tracked.
Microcontroller 502 is connected through RS-232 interface 520 to computer 110. Microcontroller 502 controls interface circuit 500 to collect raw data from the weather station, position, and angle sensors, and transmit this data to computer 110 in digital form for appropriate compensation, analysis, and presentation.
Computer 110 is provided with software for receiving raw measurement data through an RS-232 interface (from interface circuit 500) and providing a user front end for system control, display of results, and analysis. Computer 110 performs temperature and pressure compensation functions on the raw data. Computer 110 also performs laser high accuracy subdivision on the interferometer output to interpolate between counted fringes. Finally, the software records final measurement output and displays results numerically and graphically for the convenience of the user.
The five-axis sensor is calibrated against a conventional laser interferometer to ensure system accuracy. A computer error mapping and compensation technique is implemented in computer 110 after all sensors are calibrated, to increase accuracy of the system.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein housing 302 is provided with a wireless transmitter, such as a radio or infrared transmitter, for transmitting sensor data to the system. In the preferred embodiment, housing 302 is provided with an amplifying circuit 702 connected to the outputs of detectors 308 and 312. Amplifying circuit 702 is connected to multiplexed analog-to-digital converter 704 which is connected to microcontroller 706. Microcontroller 706 receives digitized raw output from the sensors in housing 302 and transmits this information using, for example, infrared driver circuit 708. Circuits 702, 704, 706, and 708 in housing 302 are powered by a battery, preferably of a rechargeable type which is also located in housing 302.
The laser 102 (or, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 4, interferometer head 402) is provided with an appropriate receiver 710 for the transmitted data. A microcontroller 712 connected to receiver 710 transmits the received data to the inputs of interface circuit 500 where the data is processed in the manner described previously. This embodiment provides a significant advantage, since it eliminates the wires that otherwise must connect housing 302 to the other equipment in the system. In machine tool applications, housing 302 is typically attached to a moving tool head. Thus, when wires are present, movement distances are limited by the length of the wires, and there is a potential for tangling or snagging the wires as the tool moves. The use of infrared or other wireless technology in place of these wires is a significant improvement.
Referring now to FIG. 7, another feature of the present invention is illustrated wherein temperature stabilization of the laser unit is provided by a heating element and a feedback control system designed to maintain the laser unit housing at a targeted temperature above ambient temperature. The inventors have found that this arrangement contributes significantly to stable and predictable operation of the laser. This temperature stabilization mechanism shortens warmup time for the laser and eliminates environmental temperature fluctuations, thereby increasing the precision of the position measurements derived from the system.
As shown in FIG. 7, a laser unit housing 720 is provided to accommodate any of the stabilized beam laser units described above. For example, housing 720 may be provided to accommodate laser head 102 (described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6) or laser head 404 (shown in FIG. 4). Laser unit housing 720 may be of aluminum or another material which provides relatively uniform heat conductivity. Housing 720 has a 5/8" thick aluminum base 721.
A temperature sensor 722 and heating pad 724 are connected to a temperature controller 726 by wires 728 and 730, respectively. Heating pad 724 is preferably a resistive heating element constructed with resistive copper alloy wire mounted in a flexible adhesive tape. Heating pad 724 may be a Model No. HK5402R12.8L12B heating pad manufactured by Minko Co. of Minneapolis, Minn. The adhesive tape of heating pad 724 is affixed to a milled recess of approximately 2-3 mm depth in the bottom surface of base 721 of housing 720, to effectively conduct generated heat to housing 720. A cover 732 is attached to the bottom of housing 720 to protect heating pad 724. The heating pad 724 may have dimensions of approximately 50 mm×75 mm.
Temperature sensor 722 is preferably mounted on a top surface of base 721. Temperature sensor 722 detects the temperature inside laser unit housing 720. Temperature controller 726 is a feedback controller that selectively applies current to heating pad 724 to maintain a constant predetermined temperature at temperature sensor 722, using conventional feedback control techniques.
The targeted elevated temperature in housing 720 is determined based on the operating temperature range of the laser. This temperature is selected to maximize stability of the laser output.
The 5-D measurement design provided in the present invention provides significant advantages compared to prior art systems. The arrangement is considerably more compact, robust, versatile, sensitive, and economical than conventional systems. Typically, prior art systems required separate setups for linear, straightness, and angular measurements, but the present invention can make all these measurements with a single setup, saving up to 80% of setup time. The system can also be used to make 1-D (linear only) and 3-D (linear and two angular) measurements. The system is typically accurate to 0.1 ppm for linear measurements, ±/-0.1 arc sec. for angular measurements, and 0.2 micrometer accuracy for straightness measurements, although increased accuracy is possible using the design.
Citations de brevets
Référencé par
Événements juridiques
Image d'origine
Faire pivoter


text:
- ‹
- 6 of 8
- ›
- Start Over
Traditional Lawn Games
A fun wooden croquet set.
Bring back this classic lawn game at the park or in your backyard. This stylish croquet set is modeled after the traditional English set and is hand-carved from mahogany and mango wood. The set includes six mallets, six balls, wickets and a stand.
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click "Flag as inappropriate." Thank you.


text:
Home | Talk | Photos
Sunday, October 11, 2009 - Andy Andersen
The Wolverines at least scared the 12th ranked and favored Hawkeyes in their prime time meeting in unfriendly Kinnick Stadium. The place was rocking, but the tenacious Wolverines hung around and in the process plucked a few of the Hawkeye's tail feathers, but a total of five turnovers handicaps even the best teams. Two interceptions and three fumbles lost. made this night game a nightmare at times. A third and twelve converted, and a third and twenty-four turned into a TD also contributed to the bad dream. A tight end running wild and making big plays help doom us too. All this packaged a defeat, that was, in spite of the errors, a close and hard fought ball game. Both M's offense and defense gave great effort, as did the Hawk's.
The Hawkeyes are probably the best team Michigan has faced as yet this year, and they played like it except for a few miscues. Their defensive line is great, but the Wolverines OL reared up and played even with them or a little better at times. No one had scored a rushing TD on them in 33 quarters, but Brandon Minor had two, and Denard Robinson had one.
The Hawk's offense is a little erratic at times but they had two big plays on third and long that hurt Michigan's chances badly. Stanzi, their competent but occasionally erratic QB, converted a third and twelve and threw a third and twenty-four TD pass. That kind of defensive failure again was as perplexing as it was astounding. Combine this with 5 turnovers and you have prepared the elixir of loss.
Brandon Minor returned to action and was spectacular in his physicality and effectiveness. He ran hard, putting the team on his back for a while, but he also carried the ball carelessly in traffic and therefore lost a key fumble on an outstanding defensive play. He lugged 22 times for 97-yards and 2 TDs, and one fumble. Iowa got it.
Tate Forcier did not have the kind of night that he had hoped to have. Again he sat for much of the first Quarter as the Hawks produced a time consuming TD drive but this time, because of the early pick six thrown by Stanza, which was returned 40 yards by Donovan Warren for a TD, the long Iowa drive only tied the score.
Tate did not seem as comfortable as he has seemed in prior games, and threw an interception, and some near misses. It just wasn't his night, and he often drew the wrath of a totally energized RR, especially late in the game, when RR consigned the QB position to Denard Robinson for execution in crunch time. I was astounded at this late change and still believe it should have happened in the 3rd quarter, not in the late 4th, but Robinson produced. Shoelace engineered an 11-play, 59-yard drive, which consisted mostly of Denard scampering and bulling his way goal ward, and he bulled over for a three yard TD to make it M 28, Iowa 30. It seemed that perhaps another stunning victory was at hand. Unfortunately it was not to be as another stunning loss was at hand.
Some are questioning RR's decision to leave Denard at the controls for what was Michigan's final drive, and the effort to get into field goal range to steal a last second victory. I am one of them. Due to field position and the obvious need for some passing because of clock considerations, I thought Forcier should be at the switch. Tate tried to run out but was shooed back, and DRob took the final snaps. Unfortunately, the threat to surmount the two- point difference ended with Denard's interception, while he missed an open receiver.
RR must have felt Denard needed the chance due to his undeniable success on the prior drive. Who is to say that Tate would not have ended the game in the same disappointing way as the MSU game, with his own interception, but the odds of success seemed to be with him in a passing situation, not Denard, at this time.
Also many are questioning the late onside kick. The Wolverines did not regain possession of the ball and it went out of bounds and was spotted at the thirty-five. If we had kicked deep, they probably would have returned it that far anyway. That's the way returns were going against the Blue.
Shoelace ended the afternoon 3 of 4 for thirty-yards, one interception, and no TD passes. He had nine carries for 49-yards and a TD. Tate was 8 of 19 for ninety-five yards, no TDs and one interception, one fumble, and one fall down sack.
RR reported post game that there was no dissension on the bench as ABC reported and that the kids were all coach able. It was obvious to all that there were some strenuous and pointed discussions on the sidelines with key players.You have to shout the place is loud.
I am not faulting RR for this. He was into the game, and wanted the win. The criticism of Forcier will simply make him grow and get better. This will not ruin him as some on line "experts" are enjoying predicting. He is too smart, and has too much at stake for that. He will learn from his rough outings, go on and get better. What a future he has at Michigan.
The statistics favored Iowa in total, 319 to 367 total yards, but the Hawks were held to 83-yards rushing. Not shabby, but we sold out to hold the run and they beat us with 284-yards passing to our 124. We had three third down conversions out of 11 tries. Not satisfactory. They had eight of eighteen. Tay Odoms had 4 catches for 76-yards.
The scoring went like this:
1st Quarter: Donovan grabbed the first Stanzi pass and deposited it in the endzone for a 40-yard score. M 7, Iowa 0. Iowa scored on a 34-yard pass to its tight end. Moeaki was a thorn all afternoon. Now it was 7 up. Iowa hit a FG goal from 28-yards. M 7, Iowa 10. Minor answered for the Wolverines. M 14, Iowa 10. Wow, we actually lead early.
2nd Quarter: This quarter belonged to Iowa as they hit a 41-yard field goal and then a 42-yard TD pass. M 14, Iowa 20. Tate and our offense struggled. Much credit for that goes to Iowa's defense, but much also goes to our mistakes. At the half, it was M 14, Iowa 20. Well, thought I, we are a second half team.
3rd Quarter: Iowa hit another FG of forty-yards. M 14, Iowa 23. It was still in reasonable reach and Minor scored on a 1-yard run. Man is he a tough runner. M 21. Iowa 23. Now it is really in reach.
4th Quarter: Moeaki caught another long pass, one for forty-two yards, and a score.
M 21, Iowa 30 and a win will need a longer Wolverine reach, but desperation soon sets in.
Tate Forcier was replaced by Denard Robinson late in the fourth quarter at quarterback and led a successful drive to a TD, mostly using his feet, and capping the 11 play, 69-yard drive with a three yard score.
M 28, Iowa 30 became the final after Denard was intercepted on the next and last Michigan series.
Tate Forcier had an uncharacteristic day. He was ineffective passing in the second half going something like three for ten. One 35-yard pass to Odom was really risky and could easily have been intercepted. And there was that nasty interception. He had an unforced fumble where the ball slipped out of his hand. How much did the cold have to do with that for a warm weather guy? He fell flat on his face to kill a drive. Not the usual for Forcier. It was a bad afternoon for Tate, but only that.
The talent, the drive and the will are still there, and he will learn from the situation and shine next time. Taken as a whole he is having an extraordinary freshman season. They will enjoy coming back to Michigan Stadium after two nasty road losses to favored teams. They come home to confront Delaware State. They will be ready.
You can't avoid taking anyone seriously after Toledo and Appalachian State owning our stadium. There is no bye week. But I believe that Michigan will put up a ton of points, and improve some more. I hope that some of the youngsters that have not played except on special teams will get a chance. It ought to be a fun time.
Current Comments
Tag Cloud


text:
That was a week ago. Boy, what a difference a week makes, right?
Since the writing of that article, we received word that not only did Sony Online Entertainment reverse its decision to kill EQMac but that it will be making the server completely free for its community for the indefinite future. I learned that while under the influence of a 102-degree fever, so I initially thought it was just my brain cooking in my skull. But no, it was the truth. So what happened in the span of that week? Why did SOE do a 180 and keep alive an ancient relic of its flagship MMO?
For the whole, unadulterated truth, I called up SOE President John Smedley to get the full scoop on the wild rollercoaster he's taken this loyal community on these past few weeks. Finding out what he said will only cost you one click. It's worth it, trust me.
We started out our conversation by taking a step back and examining just why SOE decided to sunset Al'Kabor in the first place. Smedley told me that one of the company's driving characteristics is that it is constantly experimenting in an effort to innovate. Sometimes experiments work out, he said. Sometimes they didn't. EQMac was of the latter.
EQMac represented the company's efforts to dip a toe into the Apple market and see whether there was a sizable population that would flock to EQ as PC players had. SOE used an outside company (which no longer exists) to do the port and ended up with a lackluster product as a result. To make matters worse, when the product launched in 2003, it was to a timid and tepid crowd at best. There weren't a lot of serious Apple gamers in the early 2000s nor much game development on the platform, and as a result, the market simply wasn't there.
With an underwhelming population, SOE saw no reason to continue work on the version. The codebase stagnated, and EQMac froze in time, representing the game that was versus the game that it became. Even so, there were those who grew to love and appreciate this old school edition of EverQuest, and a very tight-knit community developed as a result. The only problem is that they were doing so on a ticking time bomb of irrelevance.
Six months ago, SOE employee Todd Schmidt took an interest in the code, and Smedley gave him the go-ahead to work on it. But even as Schmidt cleared up bugs and created a smoother experience for Al'Kaborians, EverQuest as a whole was headed for F2P -- and the decision-makers didn't see a way for this antiquated version to join the new frontier.
Without disclosing exact numbers, Smedley said that the population of Al'Kabor was quite low indeed and wasn't financially viable. The numbers demanded that it be sunsetted, but the community wasn't about to go quietly into that good night. Instead, an intense letter- and forum-writing campaign ensued, all of which personally moved John Smedley into action.
He admitted that the advocates benefited from the fact that he is a "rabid Mac fan," as he put it. In talking with Smedley on the phone, I sometimes felt like he was trying to convert me to the Church of Apple with his passionate praises of the platform. Smedley looked at this stubborn, driven group of Mac MMO gamers, and he said he simply couldn't abandon them.
The declaration was made on Twitter: EQMac would stay alive. There would be no charges, no Marketplace, no more expansions, and no F2P tiers. The server would be left on (although Smedley said there were no guarantees as to "forever"), and it would be free. New players would be welcome to join in on the fun, and the possibility was left open for new servers to be added if Al'Kabor filled up.
It was something that SOE could say "yes" to a couple of months after it had to say "no" to pleading Star Wars Galaxies fans. So why did EQMac get saved while SWG was not? It came down to licensing, and with LucasArts calling the shots with SWG, SOE didn't have the flexibility that it did with EQMac. SOE's reticent to shut anything down, Smedley said, although sometimes the higher-ups have to make the call to do so.
The decision to save Al'Kabor was attributed 100% to the fan response, especially the pleas from Mac gamers to a Mac-loving president. "We left it running because we cared about the fans," Smedley confessed. "I was so personally moved by 600 emails on the subjects by rabid fans on that server; it was really touching to me."
"We're not cold-hearted," he said. "We treat customers like we treat families." Those who want to make a conspiracy out of the issue or read into it miss the simple truth of the personal angle. SOE, Smedley assured me, is not a faceless bureaucracy but a group of like-minded gamers who care about the same things that its customers do.
Considering that EQMac wasn't much of a money-maker for SOE in the past and that it now will be a continuing money drain, I asked about the upside of keeping the server going. Smedley told me that he's replied to everyone that's written him about the issue with one plea: If you like the fact we're keeping EQMac going, then show your support when SOE comes out with Mac versions in the future.
With a Machead at the helm of SOE, it's a sure thing that its MMOs will be making more inroads into Apple territory as time progresses. Smedley wouldn't come right out and make any definite statements as to which games these would be, but he did say that the new Forge Light engine is a "hint" as to what Mac versions are underway.
"Mac ports done right are amazing," Smedley gushed. He said that the company is still mulling over a proper conversion of EverQuest to the Mac, but the technical difficulties and age make it an iffy proposition.
SOE's president was incredibly optimistic about the studio's future, especially with EverQuest Next. "I have a good reason to believe that when the next version of EverQuest is launched, it'll be the game that causes people to abandon their current games just to play it," Smedley said firmly.
I asked whether SOE is considering any other MMO acquisitions. Smedley wouldn't say anything specific but told me that we should "look for some very interesting announcements in the near future." The studio makes decisions based on games the people working there honestly want to play, such as Vanguard, and are not just there to snap up any old title that comes around.
In the meanwhile, EQMac's community may rejoice that their time in Norrath is not yet up, and if they're pleased about this stay of execution, a time may yet come when they can show their appreciation the Smedfather.
When not clawing his eyes out at the atrocious state of general chat channels, Justin "Syp" Olivetti pulls out his history textbook for a lecture or two on the good ol' days of MMOs in The Game Archaeologist. You can contact him via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or through his gaming blog, Bio Break.


text:
A non-reusable needle-bearing safety medical device is provided. The device is operable for inserting an intravenous catheter into a patient. The device includes a needle for piercing the patient's skin and guiding the catheter into the vein of the patient. The needle is operable in two positions, an extended position, in which the needle projects forwardly from a housing, and a retracted position, in which the needle is retracted into the barrel so that the needle is enclosed by the barrel to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle after use. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the projecting position against the bias of a spring that biases the needle rearwardly toward the retracted position. After use, the operator displaces an actuator to release the needle. The spring then propels the needle rearwardly into the retracted position. In this way, the device is non-reusable and the needle is shielded to prevent contact with the sharpened tip of the contaminated needle.
1. A catheter insertion device for positioning a catheter in a blood vessel of a patient, the catheter comprising a hub and a cannula connected with the hub, the device comprising:
a barrel having a forward end contoured to mate with an interior surface of the catheter hub, and a gripping portion configured for holding the device during use;
a needle projecting forward from the barrel and having a sharpened tip extending beyond a forward end of the catheter cannula for penetrating the skin of the patient; and
a needle retraction mechanism operable by the user to effect retraction of the needle into the barrel after use;
the needle retraction mechanism comprising:
a spring for exerting a rearward bias upon the needle;
a needle retainer for releasably holding the needle in the projecting orientation against the bias of the spring;
an actuating member positioned axially within the barrel and movable therein for releasing the needle retainer from holding the needle, the actuating member having a first actuation surface operable for effecting movement of the actuating member;
a stop preventing movement of the actuating member, the stop having a second actuation surface operable to allow movement of the actuating member, the second actuation surface overlapping the gripping portion, whereby operation of the first and second actuation surfaces is required to effect retraction of the needle into the barrel.
2. A medical device, comprising:
a hollow housing;
a needle having a sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing;
a biasing element biasing the needle toward the retracted position; and
an arm pivotable radially, and having a manually engageable surface external of the housing, wherein the arm controls actuation of the device preventing the needle from being displaced into the retracted position, and displacement of the arm radially inwardly allows the needle to be displaced into the retracted position.
3. The device of
4. The device of
5. The device of
6. The device of
7. The device of
8. The device of
9. The device of
10. The device of
This application is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/US97/22376, filed Dec. 5, 1997, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/847,544, filed Apr. 23, 1997, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,395, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/761,088, filed Dec. 5, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,278. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/064,243, filed Nov. 4, 1997. Each of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to needle-bearing medical devices used, for example, to insert catheters or guide wires into blood vessels of patients or to sample fluid from patients. More specifically, the invention relates to such a device having a retractable needle feature for rendering the device non-reusable and safely disposable.
Various types of medical devices employ a needle for piercing the skin of a patient for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. One such device is an intravenous catheter insertion device, wherein a needle-mounted catheter is positioned within a patient's vein. Once the catheter is properly positioned, the catheter insertion device is withdrawn leaving the catheter in place. Handling of such needle-bearing medical devices after the needle is withdrawn from the patient can result in transmission of various pathogens, most notably human immune virus (HIV), to uninfected medical personnel, due to an inadvertent needle prick.
Since the mid-1980s, concern over the risk of accidental needle stick injuries has spawned a number of design approaches for safety needle devices. Such devices can be broadly categorized as sliding sheath needle devices, wherein a physical barrier is positioned about the needle tip after use, and as needle-retraction devices, wherein the tip of the needle is retracted into the device after use. The category of needle retraction devices can be further subdivided into manual and automatic retraction devices. Manual retraction devices, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,026,287 to Haller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,744 to Jagger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,169 to Haber et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,490 to Haber, require the user to pull or slide a needle-engaging mechanism rearwardly for a sufficient distance to retract the needle into the device. In automatic needle retraction devices, a biasing member, such as a spring, is employed to push or pull the needle into the device in response to activation of some release mechanism by the user. Such devices are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,426 to Haber et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,414 to Dysarz.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,831 assigned to Becton Dickinson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,307 to Kulli show respective automatic retractable-needle catheter stylets and syringes. The devices shown in the last-mentioned two patents are disclosed to be actuatable by the user who applies a simple unitary motion that entails a simple single-stage actuation movement in just one direction. Specifically, these latter patents show devices in which retraction is effected by depressing a single surface or member for a short distance in a single direction. Hence, during use of such devices, the user must be mindful not to prematurely trigger the needle retraction mechanism by accidentally contacting the surface for actuating the retraction mechanism. Since medical needle bearing devices are frequently employed under distracting circumstances, it would be desirable to provide an automatic needle retraction mechanism in which a compound action or dual motion is required by the user in order to effect automatic retraction of the needle. Such a mechanism would desirably require the user to act upon more than one surface of the retraction mechanism to effect withdrawal of the needle into the device. It further would be desirable to require that such actions to retract the needle occur along different directional axes to further decrease the likelihood of undesired premature or accidental retraction of the needle.
Of the aforementioned prior art devices which have automatic needle retraction mechanisms, all require a needle structure having an enlarged head, lip or rim extending radially outwardly from the axis of the needle to provide a block or enlarged surface on the needle which is biased toward retraction by the spring and which can be restrained against retraction by a latching arrangement or latch mechanism. In such devices, failure of the latch mechanism can occur to cause premature retraction of the needle. Hence, it would be desirable to provide an automatic needle retraction mechanism in which the latch mechanism operates more directly upon the needle.
After use of a needle bearing medical device, a small volume of contaminated fluid or blood may remain inside the needle after it is withdrawn from the patient. Depending upon the gauge of the needle used with the device, such residual fluid or blood may be ejected from the forward end of the needle during the rearward acceleration experienced in retraction of the needle. Such forward fluid ejection can result from insufficient capillary adhesion to retain the residual fluid against inertial forces during needle retraction, or against the hydraulic force exerted upon the residual fluid by inrushing fluid or air during rearward acceleration in retracting the needle. It would also be desirable to provide a structure in an automatic needle retraction device that would prevent such ejection of residual blood or fluid from the forward end of the needle during retraction.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a needle retraction mechanism for a needle bearing medical device wherein a needle retaining member is bonded directly to the needle for selectively holding the needle in a projecting configuration from the device. The needle retaining member has an axial extension configured to provide at least one finger, and preferably a plurality of separable fingers that are joined about a central bore for holding the needle axially within the bore. Mutual engagement between the fingers and the needle can be enhanced by adhesive or thermal bonding. The needle retainer is positioned within the device to restrain the needle against rearward bias exerted upon the needle by a spring. The spring is preferably also bonded directly to the needle, so that neither the bias force or the counteracting restraining force is required to be mediated by any additional structure connected to the needle.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the needle bearing medical device is provided with an automatic retraction mechanism in which the user is required to execute a dual or compound motion in order to actuate the needle for withdrawing the needle into the device by movement of a biasing member. The preferred compound motion requires the user to effect two motions on separate surfaces of the device. Furthermore, these motions are preferably designed to be effected in distinct directions in order to assure intentional needle retraction.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a dual-motion needle retraction mechanism is provided in combination with respective catheter insertion and guide wire insertion devices.
The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a catheter insertion device having a retractable needle, manifesting aspects of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side-elevational view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a catheter insertion device manifesting aspects of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6a is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 4, illustrating the device in a locked position;
FIG. 6b is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 4, illustrating the device in an unlocked position;
FIG. 7a is a plan view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 4, illustrating the device prior to use;
FIG. 7b is a plan view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 4, illustrating the catheter removed from the device; and
FIG. 7c is a plan view of the catheter insertion device illustrated in FIG. 4, illustrating the needle retracted after use.
Referring to the drawings in general, and FIGS. 1-3, in particular, a catheter insertion device 10 having a retractable needle 35 is illustrated. The device is used in connection with inserting a catheter 80 into the vein of a patient. After the catheter is inserted, the insertion needle 35 is retracted into the insertion device 10 so that the needle is beyond the reach of the user.
The catheter insertion device 10 includes a hollow generally cylindrical barrel 15. The rear-end of the barrel 15 is generally opened having a lip that projects radially inwardly. The forward end of the barrel 15 forms a reduced diameter tip 17 having a bore for receiving a cylindrical nose piece 20. The tip 17 includes a gripping portion 18 that is configured to facilitate gripping the device for use. In the present instance, the gripping portion 18 includes a plurality of spaced apart ridges that enable the user to easily grasp the device without slippage. Although the ridges are preferred, the gripping area can be generally smooth if desired.
The needle 35 is operable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the needle projects forwardly through an opening in the front end of the nose piece 20 so that the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed. The catheter 80 telescopingly engages the needle 35 and is mounted on the nose piece 20. Preferably, an elastomeric cup-shaped nose seal 25 is disposed in the front end of the nose piece 20 to form a fluid-tight seal between the needle 35 and the opening at the forward end of the nose piece through which the needle projects.
A spring 40 disposed in the nose piece 20 around the needle 35 is bonded to the needle and biases the needle rearwardly toward the retracted position. A needle retainer 50 releasably engages the needle 35 retaining the needle in the extended position. Referring to FIG. 3, the needle retainer 50 includes a plurality of axially elongated circumferentially spaced fingers 52 forming a bore through which the needle 35 passes. The rearward end of the fingers 52 form a rearwardly facing tapered actuation surface. Preferably, the fingers 52 are separated from one another by a plurality of elongated slots that form frangible portions that allow the fingers to be deformed radially outwardly as will be discussed below. Preferably, the needle 35 is bonded directly to the fingers 52 of the needle retainer 50.
Referring again to FIG. 2, a plunger 60 that operates as an actuating member is disposed within the interior of the barrel 15. Preferably the plunger 60 forms a fluid-tight seal with the internal surface of the barrel 15. The forward end of the plunger 60 forms a tapered frustoconical actuation surface that cooperates with the rearward opening of the needle retainer 50. The plunger includes a circumferential annular groove 66 adjacent the actuation surface 64. The annular groove 66 cooperates with a safety latch 30, as will be discussed further below. The plunger 60 also includes a first circumferential flange 68 that cooperates with the lip at the rearward opening of the barrel 15 to prevent the plunger from being removed from the barrel. A rear cap 70 is inserted onto the rear end of the plunger 60. The rear cap 70 has a hollow interior forming a socket for receiving the rearward end of the plunger. A second retention flange 69 on the plunger 60 cooperates with the rear cap 70 to connect the rear cap to the plunger.
The plunger 60 operates to actuate retraction of the needle 35 as follows. Depressing the rear cap 70 axially advances the plunger 60 within the barrel 15 into contact with the rearward end of the needle retainer 50. The forward facing tapered surface 64 of the plunger 60 cooperates with the rearward facing tapered surface of the needle retainer 50. In this way, the plunger operates as a wedge, deforming the fingers 52 radially outwardly, breaking the glue bond between the fingers and the needle 35. Once the needle is released from the needle retainer, the spring 40 projects the needle rearwardly through an opening at the front of the plunger and into a cavity 61 within the plunger. The rear cap 70 has a solid rear surface that acts as a stop, preventing the retracted needle from being projected rearwardly out of the device.
The device 10 includes a safety lever 30 that cooperates with the plunger 60 to prevent the plunger from axially advancing to effect retraction. The safety lever 30 is an elongated lever arm having a latch 32 that cooperates with the annular groove 66 at the forward end of the plunger 60. The lever arm 30 is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the device 10 about a pivot point 33, so that the lever arm is adjacent the gripping portion 18. Preferably, the lever arm 30 overlaps the gripping portion 18 as shown in FIG. 2. The safety lever 30 pivots between a latched position in which the latch 32 engages the plunger 60 and an unlatched position in which the latch is pivoted out of engagement with the plunger. The safety lever is integrally connected with a mounting ring 34 that circumscribes the barrel 15 and abuts a circumferential ridge 16 to retain the safety lever in place at the forward end of the device 10 adjacent the gripping area 18.
To initiate retraction, the user presses the safety lever 30 downwardly to move the latch 32 out of abutment with the annular groove 66 of the plunger 60. While continuing to depress the safety lever 30 into the unlatched position, the user applies pressure to the rear cap 70. This simultaneous dual action drives the plunger 60 forward to effectuate retraction of the needle 35. As can be appreciated, needle retraction thus requires the user to simultaneously apply force to move two parts of the device in respective distinct directions. A variety of structural variations are possible to require such dual action, other than the specific cantilever arm arrangement described herein.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-7c, an alternate catheter insertion device 110 is illustrated. The alternate embodiment 110 is similar to the embodiment 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, except that the alternate embodiment incorporates an alternate safety lever 130. The safety lever 130 pivots about a pivot point 139 on the tip 117 of the device 110. The safety lever 130 overlaps and is incorporated into the gripping portion of the device 110. In this way, the user can depress the safety lever 130 after use of the device 110 without repositioning the user's grip of the device.
Referring to FIGS. 6a-b, the safety lever 130 engages a plunger 160 that is substantially similar to the plunger 60 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The safety lever 130 includes a latch 132 that engages the plunger 160 in the latched position as shown in FIG. 6a. Depressing the safety lever 130 pivots the latch 132 out of engagement with the plunger 160 as shown in FIG. 6b. After the safety lever 130 is pivoted out of engagement with the plunger, the end cap of the device 110 can be depressed to axially advance the plunger to effectuate retraction of the needle. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the safety lever and the end cap must be simultaneously depressed in order to effectuate retraction of the needle.
The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation. There is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. It is recognized, however, that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed.
Patent Citations
Referenced by
Legal Events
Original Image


text:
The annual ten day Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular (formerly the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival) showcases some of New Zealand's most stunning private and public gardens.
Dates: 30 October - 8 November 2015Locations: Taranaki wideAs one of New Zealand's longest running festivals each year it offers an exclusive opportunity to experience a diverse range of high quality gardens that are among the best in the country.
Visitors will enjoy strolling through large park-like country gardens, geometric and intimate inner city potager gardens, sub-tropical and rainforest gardens.
As New Zealand's premier spring festival visitors can experience an extensive events programme featuring spring fashion in the garden, high tea in the garden and tai chi in the garden.This year's exclusive landscape design project is an awe-inspiring family of elephant sculptures, crafted from willow and woven over steel frames, who will be embarking on a guerrilla mission, stopping at different locations around Taranaki.
The celebrity speaker event is pegged to be a riveting and laughter-packed night with professional opinionist and TV presenter Te Radar talking about his gardening successes and failures.Back by popular demand is also the Newstalk ZB garden speaker series and a new event this year – celebrity masterchef Brett McGregor will be demonstrating his culinary skills within a garden setting.
We invite you to indulge in a feast for your senses, borne from the imaginations, inspiration and sheer perspiration of our region's most gifted gardeners.New Zealand's Premier Spring Festival -The Garden Festival - like no other!
Plan your visit and book your accommodation with us! more about Visitor Information>
Find out about the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre and its programmes. more about Todd Energy Aquatic Centre>
Find out more about New Zealand's premier contemporary art gallery. more about Govett-Brewster Art Gallery>
Discover more about this world-first heritage and information centre. more about Puke Ariki>
Visit Pukekura Park, the jewel in New Plymouth's crown. more about Pukekura Park>


text:
ESSELTE CORPORATION File Folders,1/3 Cut Tab,1 Fastener,Legal,50/BX,ManilaItem#: YYSP-ESSFM310 | Model#: FM310
- List Price:
- $43.39
- Instant Savings:
- - $20.90 (48%)
- Price:
- $22.49
- Shipping:
- Usually Ships within 48 Hours (Details)
FLDR,LGL,1/3,MLA Product Details
Manufactured by: Esselte Corporation
Warranty provided by: Esselte Corporation
Mfg Part No: FM310
UPC No: 078787203105
Box Size: ( Length:15, Width:10, Depth:2)
Shipping Weight: 5.5000 pound(s)
Click here for full warranty and support information
- Limited Warranty: A full text version of the limited warranty
may be obtained by mailing a self addressed, stamped envelope to the
address below and requesting the warranty for item number: YYSP-ESSFM310
Warranty Information
7795 W. Flagler St. Suite 35
Miami, FL. 33144
- Esselte Corporation logos are registered trademarks of Esselte Corporation. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.


text:
Made in Tennessee, USA
Emmy's Gourmet Canine Creations uses only the freshest ingredients and are homemade in Tennessee, USA.
Delicious, Nutritious Canine Treats
Special! Get a Free Bag of Treats after 10th purchase, 11th is Free!
*Reg.Treats 1/2lb.or 1lb.bag
Our Philosophy
The friends in our logo are very special to us. Both girls are rescues. Of course, we want them to have the freshest and very best quality treats we can provide. With all the publicity about contaminated treats from China in the news, however, we discovered that making our own treats is the best option! Because we love our canine friends so much, we decided to share these creations with you and your four-legged friends.
Emmy's Gourmet Canine Creations uses only the freshest of ingredients. We offer three flavors at this time: Three-Cheese Pleasers; Original Recipe Vegetarian Yambone; and, Original Recipe Carob Peanut Butter Crunch. Each of these options are available with or without frosting.
Our treats have been analyzed for protein, fiber, fat, and moisture content. Nutritional information is posted on each package. Two of our flavors (Original Recipe Vegetarian Yambone and Carob Peanut Butter Crunch) are wheat, corn, and soy-free. So if your canine friend has allergies, these might be the perfect options for you.
Emily made me a custom barkday cake and 12 custom paw cakes for a barkday party I was having for my weim. The larger custom bone cake and the smaller paw cakes were a HUGE hit! The dogs went CRAZY over them- and I set them out in the center of the table and had to keep asking the human guests not to dig in...they were that beautiful!!!! Emily used all natural ingredients, and I felt good about that, and the dogs ate WAY MORE than they should have and out of 13 very, very full and very, very satisfied dogs not ONE SINGLE dog had any digestive issues- AMAZING when you consider how much cake they ate!!!!! Every single doggy mommy at the party (there were 30 people) commented on how beautiful the cakes were and how amazing they smelled- like fresh gingerbread!! mmmmm...and the icing was adorable- she even put my pups name on the larger cake! I was over the moon! Emily was easy to work with and really cared about any allergies or issues my pups and his guests might have- she was careful packing the cakes (each one came lovingly and carefully boxed since they traveled two hours by car to get here), and we did not have a single one that was ruined! I will absolutely continue to buy all my barkday cakes from Emily, and my pups will eat her other treats as well- I like her philosophy, commitment and true passion to the dogs and their health and my dogs LOVE the cookies- don't know what kind of puppy magic she adds, but the dogs bark at her bags when they see them!
Tamara Miller
Finnegan's "Mom"
2015 Copyright: Emmy's Gourmet Canine Creations